When is the next UK general election?

UK Prime Ministers normally serve a five-year term, which Boris Johnson is now more than half way through.

It seems a long time ago now that Britain headed out to the polling stations to vote for the next PM, although local elections are just as crucial.

When is the next general election?

General elections are held at least every five years, meaning the latest the next one can take place is January 23, 2025.

The contests are traditionally often held on the first Thursday of May to coincide with local council votes.

But the sitting PM has the power to call a general election early if they wish, and this has happened on several occasions.

They have to give 25 days' notice with parliament dissolved and major Government business suspended as parties go into campaign mode.

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That means the latest the next contest could be announced is December 29, 2024.

A provisional date of Thursday, May 2, 2024 has been given for the next general election.

The last general election was held on December 12, 2019, when Boris Johnson won with a 364-seat majority.

If no earlier election is called, the current parliament will be the first since 2015 to complete a full term.

Can a general election be called before the next set date?

Yes. There are several reasons why the next general election might be called before May 2, 2024.

An election called earlier than originally scheduled is known as a snap election.

In 2017, Theresa May called an early election, a decision which cost the Tories their majority.

The last general election, called by Mr Johnson in 2019, was also early.

Proving far more successful for the Conservatives, they now hold a significant majority.

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However, it is not likely that a snap election will be called by the Prime Minister any time soon.

The PM is trailing Sir Keir Starmer in the polls as of April 2022, after his popularity was badly hit by the Partygate row.

What could cause a snap election?

Boris Johnson can choose to call a General Election whenever he wishes before his five year term is up.

Former PM David Cameron brought in new rules in 2011 which limited the powers of premiers to trigger snap contests.

He introduced the Fixed Term Parliament Act to provide stability for his coalition with Nick Clegg's Lib Dems.

Under it an election could only be called if a two-thirds supermajority of MPs vote in favour or the Government lost a confidence motion.

But the act had unintended consequences and led to parliamentary gridlock during the Brexit talks.

It meant ex premier Theresa May, who was a lame duck without a majority, was unable to force an election.

Boris Johnson scrapped the legislation in March 2022 and returned to the system where the PM is in control of triggering a national vote.

Can the public force a general election?

Under the Fixed-Term Parliament Act 2011, there was no way the public could force a general election.

The rules restricted the reasoning for an election so it could not be swayed by public opinion or petitions.

Boris Johnson's power to call a general election whenever, theoretically means that if there was enough strength of public opinion he could call one.

However, it is highly unlikely that a sitting PM would call a snap election due to public pressure.

The public are far more likely to want a general election when they are unhappy with the current leadership so the sitting PM would probably lose in that scenario.

Public pressure and appeals would have to be overwhelming but only the PM – or the Queen theoretically – could force a general election/

How often are general elections in the UK?

A full parliamentary term in the UK can last up to five years, with general elections held on the first Thursday of May.

Now that the Fixed Term Parliament Act 2011 is gone prime ministers can call an election whenever they wished.

This tended to be every four or five years, when was most beneficial to them and their party.

Leaders in a strong position typically go to the people earlier, with those fearing a loss waiting out the full duration of their term

Why are elections always held on a Thursday?

Every general election since 1935 has been held on a Thursday.

Before this the day varied across the mid-week days, with the occasional Saturday.

It is suggested that because Thursday was traditionally market day, meaning more people would already be in town, potentially resulting in a higher turnout.

Others suggest that a Friday election could have lead to more drunken votes due to a Friday pay day, while a Sunday election could be influenced by Sunday sermons.

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But this system caused issues for the UK when we were a member of the EU, because most European nations hold theirs on Sundays.

That meant votes cast for MEPs had to be locked away for three days to be counted at the same time as on the rest of the continent.

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