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General election: When is the next one and who decides? | General election: When is the next one and who decides? |
(14 days later) | |
Speculation is growing about when the next general election will be. | |
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he expects to call the election "in the second half" of 2024. | |
When is the next general election due? | When is the next general election due? |
The latest a Parliament can be dissolved for a general election is on the fifth anniversary of the day it first met. | The latest a Parliament can be dissolved for a general election is on the fifth anniversary of the day it first met. |
For the current Parliament, that date is 17 December 2024. | For the current Parliament, that date is 17 December 2024. |
However, 25 working days are then allowed to prepare for the election. | However, 25 working days are then allowed to prepare for the election. |
That means the next election must be held by 28 January 2025. | That means the next election must be held by 28 January 2025. |
Who decides when an election takes place? | Who decides when an election takes place? |
The prime minister decides, but this has not always been the case. | The prime minister decides, but this has not always been the case. |
In 2011, legislation removed the PM's power to choose the date of an election, and instead gave control to the House of Commons. | In 2011, legislation removed the PM's power to choose the date of an election, and instead gave control to the House of Commons. |
Under those rules, an early election before the end of the five-year term could only be held under certain circumstances - such as if two-thirds of MPs agreed. | Under those rules, an early election before the end of the five-year term could only be held under certain circumstances - such as if two-thirds of MPs agreed. |
However, after winning the 2019 election, the Conservatives introduced the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022. | However, after winning the 2019 election, the Conservatives introduced the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022. |
This restored the PM's power to call a general election at a time of their choosing, within the five-year period. | This restored the PM's power to call a general election at a time of their choosing, within the five-year period. |
What has PM Rishi Sunak said about when the next election will be? | |
Mr Sunak said in January that his "working assumption" was that there would be a general election in the second half of the year. | |
There has been speculation that it could be called earlier. | |
In March, the prime minister ruled out that it could take place on 2 May, the date when local elections are taking place. | |
Has Sunak really ruled out a spring election? | Has Sunak really ruled out a spring election? |
How does the PM call a general election? | How does the PM call a general election? |
The PM formally asks the King to "dissolve" Parliament - the official term for closing Parliament ahead of an election. | The PM formally asks the King to "dissolve" Parliament - the official term for closing Parliament ahead of an election. |
The poll generally takes place 25 days later. | The poll generally takes place 25 days later. |
Rishi Sunak is the second prime minister of King Charles's reign | Rishi Sunak is the second prime minister of King Charles's reign |
At the point of dissolution, MPs lose their status, and have to campaign for re-election if they wish to carry on. Some MPs choose to stand down. | At the point of dissolution, MPs lose their status, and have to campaign for re-election if they wish to carry on. Some MPs choose to stand down. |
Government also enters a pre-election period - previously known as "purdah" - which restricts ministerial and departmental activity during the campaign. | Government also enters a pre-election period - previously known as "purdah" - which restricts ministerial and departmental activity during the campaign. |
What does the prime minister actually do? | What does the prime minister actually do? |
How is the general election decided? | How is the general election decided? |
The UK is divided into 650 areas, called constituencies. Each one elects an MP to represent its residents in the House of Commons in London. | The UK is divided into 650 areas, called constituencies. Each one elects an MP to represent its residents in the House of Commons in London. |
On election day, registered voters in each constituency vote for their preferred candidate in their local polling station. Some people vote by post in advance. | On election day, registered voters in each constituency vote for their preferred candidate in their local polling station. Some people vote by post in advance. |
Most candidates represent a specific political party, but some stand as independents. | Most candidates represent a specific political party, but some stand as independents. |
In a general election, each person has one vote. Under the "first past the post" system, the candidate who gets the most votes becomes the MP for that area. | In a general election, each person has one vote. Under the "first past the post" system, the candidate who gets the most votes becomes the MP for that area. |
After the votes have been counted, the King asks the leader of the party with the most MPs to become prime minister and to form a government. | After the votes have been counted, the King asks the leader of the party with the most MPs to become prime minister and to form a government. |
The leader of the party with the second highest number of MPs becomes the leader of the opposition. | The leader of the party with the second highest number of MPs becomes the leader of the opposition. |
If no party ends up with a majority of MPs - meaning it cannot pass legislation with just its own MPs - the result is a hung Parliament. | If no party ends up with a majority of MPs - meaning it cannot pass legislation with just its own MPs - the result is a hung Parliament. |
At this point, the largest party might form a coalition government with another party. Under this arrangement, MPs from both parties serve as government ministers. | At this point, the largest party might form a coalition government with another party. Under this arrangement, MPs from both parties serve as government ministers. |
Alternatively, it can form a minority government, filling all the ministerial roles with its own MPs but relying on votes from other parties to pass any laws. | Alternatively, it can form a minority government, filling all the ministerial roles with its own MPs but relying on votes from other parties to pass any laws. |
Find your MP | Find your MP |
What is the House of Lords and how does it work? | What is the House of Lords and how does it work? |
Who can vote in a general election? | Who can vote in a general election? |
Anyone on the electoral register aged 18 or above on polling day has a vote as long as they are: | Anyone on the electoral register aged 18 or above on polling day has a vote as long as they are: |
a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a Republic of Ireland citizen with a UK address | a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a Republic of Ireland citizen with a UK address |
all UK citizens who live abroad can now register to vote in the constituency where they were previously on the electoral roll | all UK citizens who live abroad can now register to vote in the constituency where they were previously on the electoral roll |
not legally excluded from voting | not legally excluded from voting |
You can register to vote at any time if you are 16 or over - or 14 or over in Scotland. | You can register to vote at any time if you are 16 or over - or 14 or over in Scotland. |
How to register to vote | How to register to vote |
What photo ID do you need to vote? | What photo ID do you need to vote? |
Can the opposition force an election? | Can the opposition force an election? |
The prime minister must have the "confidence" of the House of Commons to govern, which means they must be supported by a majority of MPs. | The prime minister must have the "confidence" of the House of Commons to govern, which means they must be supported by a majority of MPs. |
A motion of no confidence sees MPs from all parties decide whether they want the government to continue. | A motion of no confidence sees MPs from all parties decide whether they want the government to continue. |
If the leader of the opposition introduces such a motion, the government is expected to provide parliamentary time for a debate and a vote. | If the leader of the opposition introduces such a motion, the government is expected to provide parliamentary time for a debate and a vote. |
Former PM Boris Johnson survived a vote of no confidence in June 2022 | Former PM Boris Johnson survived a vote of no confidence in June 2022 |
In order to pass, the motion needs just one more MP voting in favour than against. | In order to pass, the motion needs just one more MP voting in favour than against. |
If the government loses the vote, a general election is normally called. | If the government loses the vote, a general election is normally called. |
What is a vote of no confidence? | What is a vote of no confidence? |
Related Topics | Related Topics |
UK Parliament | UK Parliament |
Rishi Sunak | Rishi Sunak |