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General election: When is the next one and who decides? When is the next UK general election and who can vote?
(10 days later)
Local elections held on 2 May could be the last big test of political parties' popularity before the next general election. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the next general election will take place on 4 July.
In January, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he expected to go to the polls "in the second half" of 2024, but there has been speculation that an election could take place earlier. Mr Sunak's announcement ended months of speculation about when the UK would go to the polls.
Local election results: Live updates What is a general election and how many MPs are there?
Local election results: Live updates The general election is to elect Members of Parliament - or MPs - to the House of Commons.
Local elections results in maps and charts The UK is divided into 650 areas, called constituencies, and each of these elects one MP to represent local residents.
Local elections results in maps and charts Most candidates represent a political party, but some stand as independents.
When is the next general election due? LIVE: Follow the latest updates on the general election
The latest a Parliament can be dissolved for a general election is on the fifth anniversary of the day it first met, external. LIVE: Follow the latest updates on the general election
For the current Parliament, that means 17 December 2024.
However, 25 working days are then allowed to prepare for the election.
So, the next election must be held by 28 January 2025.
Who decides when an election takes place?
The prime minister decides, but this has not always been the case.
In 2011, legislation gave control to the House of Commons.
Under those rules, an 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 restored the PM's power to call an election, external at a time of their choosing, within the five-year period.
Election poll tracker: How do the parties compare?Election poll tracker: How do the parties compare?
Election poll tracker: How do the parties compare?Election poll tracker: How do the parties compare?
Curtice: Results highlight deep trouble for Conservatives Why did Sunak decide to call summer election?
Curtice: Results highlight deep trouble for Conservatives Why did Sunak decide to call summer election?
What has PM Rishi Sunak said about when the next election will be? How does voting work?
Mr Sunak said in January that his "working assumption" was that there would be a general election in the second half of the year. In a general election, each person has one vote.
In March, the prime minister confirmed it would not be held alongside the 2 May local elections.
The following week, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt suggested that the poll was pencilled in for October.
However, according to BBC Political Editor Chris Mason, there has been a lot of speculation about whether the election could be in the summer.
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.
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.
Government also enters a pre-election period - previously known as "purdah" - which restricts ministerial and departmental activity during the campaign.
100 MPs to stand down at the next election
100 MPs to stand down at the next election
MPs to get help finding a new career if voted out
MPs to get help finding a new career if voted out
How is the general election decided?
The UK is divided into 650 areas, called constituencies. Each of these elects an MP to represent local residents in the House of Commons.
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 political party, but some stand as independents. Under a system called "first past the post", 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. How can I find out about my constituency?
This election will be fought on new constituency boundaries, redrawn to reflect population changes and to try to even out voter numbers in each area.
Use our tool to find out which constituency you are in and an estimate of what the result would have been had these new boundaries been in place at the last general election, in 2019.
What happens after the election results are announced?
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 decide to form a coalition government with another party or operate as a minority government, relying on votes from other parties to pass any laws.At this point, the largest party might decide to form a coalition government with another party or operate as a minority government, relying on votes from other parties to pass any laws.
Who can vote and how old do you have to be?
Anyone on the electoral register aged 18 or over on polling day can vote in the general election as long as they are a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a Republic of Ireland citizen with a UK address.
All UK citizens who live abroad can register to vote in the constituency where they were previously on the electoral roll as long as they are 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.
Register to vote, external
Register to vote, external
Find your MP, externalFind your MP, external
Find your MP, externalFind your MP, external
Who can vote in a general election? How can I vote if I am on holiday?
Anyone on the electoral register aged 18 or above on polling day can vote as long as they are: If you know that you won't be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can vote by post, external.
a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a Republic of Ireland citizen with a UK address It doesn't matter whether this is because you are on holiday, busy at work or simply find mailing your vote more convenient.
a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a Republic of Ireland citizen with a UK address You will need to prove your identity when applying.
all UK citizens who live abroad can now register to vote in the constituency where they were previously on the electoral roll Your postal vote needs to be with the elections team at your local council by 10pm on polling day to be counted.
all UK citizens who live abroad can now register to vote in the constituency where they were previously on the electoral roll Apply for a postal vote, external
not legally excluded from voting Apply for a postal vote, external
not legally excluded from voting Will I need photo ID to vote at the general election?
You can register to vote, external at any time if you are 16 or over - or 14 or over in Scotland. Yes. Since May 2023, voters have to show a valid form of photo ID at polling stations to vote in person at a general election.
What photo ID do you need to vote? There are 22 acceptable forms of ID, external, including:
What photo ID do you need to vote? passports
Can I take a selfie at a polling station? passports
Can I take a selfie at a polling station? driving licences
Can the opposition force an election? driving licences
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. Older or Disabled Person's bus passes
A motion of no confidence sees MPs from all parties decide whether they want the government to continue. Older or Disabled Person's bus passes
If the leader of the opposition introduces such a motion, the government is expected to provide parliamentary time for a debate and a vote. Oyster 60+ cards
Former PM Boris Johnson survived a vote of no confidence in June 2022 Oyster 60+ cards
Former PM Boris Johnson survived a vote of no confidence in June 2022 You can use out-of-date photo ID as long as you look the same.
In order to pass, the motion needs just one more MP voting in favour than against. Alternatively, anyone registered to vote without the correct ID - or who no longer looks like their photo - can apply for a free document called a Voter Authority Certificate, external.
If the government loses the vote, a general election is normally called. Voters in Northern Ireland can use the Electoral Identity Card, external.
What is a vote of no confidence? What photo ID will you need to vote in the general election?
What is a vote of no confidence? What photo ID will you need to vote in the general election?
Can I take children or pets to a polling station?
Can I take children or pets to a polling station?
What happens to Parliament and MPs before the election?
The PM has formally asked the King to "dissolve" Parliament - the official term for closing it ahead of an election.
This will happen on Thursday 30 May.
MPs lose their status and will have to campaign for re-election if they wish to carry on.
More than 100 MPs have said they will stand down at the next election.
Government also enters a pre-election period - previously known as "purdah" - which restricts ministerial and departmental activity during the campaign.
How often are general elections held?
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.
However, 25 working days are then allowed to prepare for the election.
So the next election had to be held by 28 January 2025.
The prime minister can call the election at a time of their choosing, within the five-year period.
Mr Sunak became prime minister on 25 October 2022 when he succeeded Liz Truss, who took over from Boris Johnson.
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