Political experts are beginning to speculate on when the next general election in the United Kingdom might take place as interest in the event increases, News About Nigeria gathered.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to call for a general election at some point in 2024, with the maximum term of a UK parliament set at five years.
The last nationwide vote occurred on December 12, 2019, and the next election must take place by January 28, 2025, allowing for a full five-year term since the current parliament convened.
The process of calling an election involves Sunak formally asking the head of state, King Charles III, to ‘dissolve’ parliament, followed by a public announcement from Number 10 Downing Street, marking the beginning of a five-week campaigning period.
During this time, current Members of Parliament (MPs) lose their status and become candidates if they seek re-election, while the government enters a ‘pre-election period’ with restrictions on its activities.
Using the ‘first-past-the-post’ method, voters in 650 constituencies throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will select one candidate per constituency to decide the election.
The candidate with the most votes in each constituency is elected to represent that area in parliament.
If a party secures a majority of at least 326 seats, it forms the government, and its leader becomes the prime minister.
Several potential windows for the election have been identified, with May 2024, autumn 2024, and January 2025 being considered.
Holding the election in May, alongside scheduled local elections, would avoid the risk of poor results in those polls damaging the government’s reputation.
Although the Labour Party has maintained its polling lead, the Conservatives, who have ruled since 2010, are confronted with issues related to internal conflict and the cost-of-living crisis.
The possibility of a ‘hung parliament’, in which no party obtains a majority, further complicates the electoral environment.
Sunak’s evaluation of the Conservative Party’s greatest likelihood of winning is anticipated to determine the election date in the end.
