Image source, Getty Images
By Tom Edgington & Jennifer Clarke
BBC News
In October, Labour won two by-elections in Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth, overturning significant Conservative majorities. This outcome has led to speculation about the upcoming general election.
When is the next general election due?
UK general elections, where all 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to the House of Commons, must be called within a maximum interval of five years. This duration is calculated from the day the current Parliament first convened on 17 December 2019, plus the time needed for an election campaign.
Who decides when an election takes place?
The prime minister (PM) has the authority to call an election, although this was not always the case. In 2011, a law was passed that removed the PM’s power to select the election date, transferring control to the House of Commons. According to these regulations, an early election before the end of the five-year term could only be held under specific circumstances, such as with the agreement of two-thirds of MPs. This law reinstated the PM’s ability to call elections at their discretion within the five-year timeframe.
How does the PM call a general election?
The PM must officially request the King to “dissolve” Parliament, which means officially closing it ahead of an election. Following the election announcement, polling day is anticipated to occur 25 working days later. Upon dissolution, MPs lose their status and campaign for re-election if they decide to run again. Additionally, the government enters a “pre-election period,” formerly known as “purdah,” which limits ministerial and departmental activities during the campaign.
How is the general election determined?
The UK is divided into 650 constituencies, with each constituency electing an MP to represent its residents in the House of Commons in London. On election day, registered voters in each constituency cast their votes for their preferred candidate at their local polling station. Some individuals vote in advance by post. Most candidates are affiliated with a specific political party, but there are also independent candidates. In a general election, each person has one vote. Based on the “first past the post” system, the candidate with the highest number of votes becomes the MP for that constituency. After a general election, the King invites the leader of the party with the most MPs to become prime minister and form a government to govern the country. The leader of the party with the second highest number of MPs becomes the leader of the opposition.
Who can vote in a general election?
Any individual aged 18 or above on polling day who is on the electoral register has the right to vote. To be eligible, you must be a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, a Republic of Ireland citizen, a UK resident, or a UK citizen living abroad who has been registered within the past 15 years. Individuals can register to vote at any time if they are 16 or over (or 14 or over in Scotland).
Can the opposition force an election?
For the prime minister to govern, they must have the “confidence” of the House of Commons, which means they need the support of a majority of MPs. If a motion of no confidence is introduced by the leader of the opposition, MPs from all parties decide whether they want the government to continue. Traditionally, the government gives parliamentary time for a debate and vote on such a motion. The motion only needs one additional MP voting in favor compared to those voting against in order to pass. If the government loses the vote, a general election is typically called. It is also conceivable that the King could invite another individual to form a government if they could obtain a vote of confidence in the House of Commons. However, for a no confidence motion to pass, the incumbent party’s MPs would need to vote against their own government, which is highly unlikely.