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General Election: When is the next one and could it be called sooner? General Election: When is the next one and could it be called sooner?
(2 months later)
Boris Johnson has stood down as Conservative leader, but will continue to serve as PM until the party chooses his successor. Liz Truss will be the UK's next prime minister, after winning the Conservative Party leadership contest.
Will this mean a general election will need to be held? What does that mean for when the next general election will be held?
When is the next general election due?When is the next general election due?
UK general elections - where all 650 MPs are elected to the House of Commons - have to be held no more than five years apart.UK general elections - where all 650 MPs are elected to the House of Commons - have to be held no more than five years apart.
Unless an earlier one is called, the next election isn't due until January 2025.Unless an earlier one is called, the next election isn't due until January 2025.
This represents five years from the day the current Parliament first met (17 December 2019), plus the time required for an election campaign.This represents five years from the day the current Parliament first met (17 December 2019), plus the time required for an election campaign.
Who can call an early election?Who can call an early election?
The decision to hold an early election usually rests with the prime minister.The decision to hold an early election usually rests with the prime minister.
However, until very recently, this wasn't the case.However, until very recently, this wasn't the case.
In 2011, a law was passed that removed the PM's power to hold an early election and instead hand control to the House of Commons. In 2011, a law was passed that removed the PM's power to hold an early election and instead handed control to the House of Commons.
Under those rules an early election could only be held under certain circumstances - such as if two-thirds of MPs agreed to one.Under those rules an early election could only be held under certain circumstances - such as if two-thirds of MPs agreed to one.
However, after winning the 2019 election, the Conservatives introduced a new law - called the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 - which abolished the previous one and restored the PM's traditional power to call elections at a time of their choosing. However, after winning the 2019 election, the Conservatives introduced a new law - called the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022.
This restored the PM's traditional power to call elections at a time of their choosing.
Would a new PM need to hold an early election?Would a new PM need to hold an early election?
Now that Mr Johnson has resigned, the Conservative Party will need to choose a new leader. The winner of that contest will become the next PM. Ms Truss was chosen to be PM by Conservative Party members - of which 172,437 were eligible to vote. This represents less than 1% of the UK population.
The new PM would not be obliged to call an early election - but could do so if they wished. While Ms Truss could choose to call an early election, she is not obliged to and could wait until 2024.
When Gordon Brown took over from Labour prime minister Tony Blair in 2007, for example, he did not hold an early election. When Gordon Brown took over from Labour prime minister Tony Blair in 2007, for example, he did not hold an early election. Boris Johnson became PM in July 2019, but didn't call an election until December.
How is an early election called?How is an early election called?
If a PM wants an early election they need to make a "request" to the Queen to dissolve Parliament - the official term for closing Parliament in order to hold an election.If a PM wants an early election they need to make a "request" to the Queen to dissolve Parliament - the official term for closing Parliament in order to hold an election.
Once an election is called, polling day would be expected to take place 25 days later.Once an election is called, polling day would be expected to take place 25 days later.
At this point, MPs lose their status and campaign for re-election (assuming they choose to stand again).At this point, MPs lose their status and campaign for re-election (assuming they choose to stand again).
Could the Queen refuse to allow an early general election?Could the Queen refuse to allow an early general election?
As the PM is required to "request" permission from the Queen, in theory she could refuse it.As the PM is required to "request" permission from the Queen, in theory she could refuse it.
The circumstances under which the Queen might do this are a bit unclear. A government document called "dissolution principles" sets out the requirements under which the PM can ask the Queen for an early election, including: Catherine Haddon, from the Institute for Government think tank, says principles exist that would allow the Queen to refuse an early election request. These include not drawing the monarch into party politics.
The PM maintains support as the leader of the government However, she says these have "never been tested in the cold light of day".
The Queen should not be drawn into party politics Meg Russell, director of the Constitution Unit - which carries out research into political institutions - agrees: "There is a tacit acceptance that the Palace has some role.
So while principles exist that would allow the Queen to refuse an early election request, they've never been tested in the cold light of day, according to Catherine Haddon from the Institute for Government think tank.
Meg Russell, director of the Constitution Unit, agrees: "There is a tacit acceptance that the Palace has some role.
"So the question becomes 'under what circumstances would the Queen block it?', but it would be politically problematic.""So the question becomes 'under what circumstances would the Queen block it?', but it would be politically problematic."