The next general election in the United Kingdom has been announced for July 4, after months of speculation. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had previously stated his intention to hold the election in the second half of 2024. In order to call the election, the Prime Minister must formally request that the King dissolve Parliament, which will happen on May 30th. At that point, members of Parliament will lose their status and must campaign for re-election if they want to continue serving.
During the pre-election period, also known as “purdah,” government activity is restricted in order to avoid influencing the outcome of the election. More than 100 MPs have said they will not seek re-election, including former Prime Minister Theresa May, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, former Cabinet minister Dominic Raab, and former deputy Labour leaders Dame Margaret Beckett and Harriet Harman.
The UK’s voting system operates under a first-past-the-post method, with each constituency electing one Member of Parliament to represent their local residents in the House of Commons. The candidate who receives the most votes in each constituency becomes the MP for that area. In the event that no party receives a majority of MPs, or enough votes to pass legislation independently, a coalition government or minority government may form with the support of other parties.
Anyone on the electoral register who is 18 or older and a British citizen, qualifying Commonwealth citizen, or Republic of Ireland citizen with a UK address may vote in the general election. All UK citizens living outside the country may register to vote in the constituency where they were last on the electoral roll. Voters will need photo identification to vote in person, with 22 acceptable forms of ID available, including passports and driving licences. Those who do not have acceptable photo ID may apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. No ID is required for postal voting.
The Prime Minister can call a general election within a five-year period, and the latest Parliament can be dissolved for a general election is on the fifth anniversary of its first convening. That date falls on December 17, 2024 for the current Parliament, with the next election required to be held by January 28, 2025. Sunak became Prime Minister in October 2022, succeeding Liz Truss who took over from Boris Johnson
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