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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 take place. Speculation is growing about when the next general election will be.
In January, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he expected to call the election "in the second half" of 2024. 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 take place? What has PM Rishi Sunak said about when the next election will be?
In January, Mr Sunak said: "My working assumption is we'll have a general election in the second half of this year." Mr Sunak said in January that his "working assumption" was that there would be a general election in the second half of the year.
Many commentators do not think recent by-election defeats will change that expectation. There has been speculation that it could be called earlier.
Labour overturned big Conservative majorities in February to win in Wellingborough and Kingswood. In March, the prime minister ruled out that it could take place on 2 May, the date when local elections are taking place.
And when George Galloway won the Rochdale by-election, the party's share of the vote was down by 19 points.
Political pollster Sir John Curtice said this was the biggest drop in the Conservative vote in a Labour-held seat at any by-election this Parliament.
Has Sunak really ruled out a spring election?Has Sunak really ruled out a spring election?
By-elections leave Tories 'with mountain to climb'
This is for Gaza, says Galloway on by-election win
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 reignRishi 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?
Fears UK not ready for deepfake general election
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 MPFind 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 addressa 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 rollall 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 votingnot 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 voteHow 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 2022Former 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 TopicsRelated Topics
UK ParliamentUK Parliament
Rishi SunakRishi Sunak