When will the next General Election be?

How can it be earlier under the Fixed Term Act: are they planning to suspend it?

Not soon enough?!!

Under the FTPA the next general election is automatically scheduled for the first Thursday in May of the fifth year after the previous general election—or the fourth year if the date of the previous election was before the first Thursday in May. However, the FTPA also provides two ways to call an election earlier. One is a Commons vote of no confidence in the government, which still requires only a simple majority of those voting. The other is a vote explicitly in favour of an earlier election, which requires a qualified majority of two thirds of the total membership of the Commons.

I doubt the Conservatives would want a vote of no confidence although, no doubt, it would be passed. Going for a vote in favour of an earlier election is more difficult. I really doubt they have a two-thirds backing but it would depend on what the opposition saw they might get out of it.

Of course, B Johnson is not against breaking the law.

[source: Wikipedia]

Jane71

How can it be earlier under the Fixed Term Act: are they planning to suspend it?

Under the 'Fixed Term Act' we had elections in 2015, 2017, and 2019.

I don't think it will be a problem.

Sooner the better for me and yet, having said that, for the first time in my life I'm in a political wilderness and have currently no idea who I would vote for. Can't bring myself to spoil my paper so I guess any independent candidate would have to be my starting point.

Nope it will not be early. I'll bet on that.

So are you going for May 2024 Visgirl?

I’ve heard 2023.

In truth he will go for it if he thinks he will win.

Yes. Whenever the Tories think they have the best chance of wining. My guess would be a year before they have to. Not long enough for the Labour party to reinvent itself. The anti tory vote won't win a FPTP election. I blame the LibDems for this. I know others will disagree.

I hope I'm wrong!

I think we would be naive if we thought the Labour Party was not preparing for the next election and reading the runes far better than we can as to when it might be.

As we know, the "anti tory vote", as you call it, does not need one party to win - it only requires the Tories to get less than half. Preferably a lot less. Whatever they say about not forming a coalition in such circumstances, I don't think they would be forgiven if they let the Tories in again.

Why do you blame the LibDems?

it only requires the Tories to get less than half.

But, Pippa, tories got less than half in 2019 (44%) and an 80 seat majority.

I think it requires an alliance between opposition parties so that they are not splitting the vote in winnable constituencies.

I think that Johnson will go for a GE as soon as he has his voter suppression Act in place and operative.

I blame the LibDEms for putting Cameron in power in the first place. I don't really need to spell out what that led to in 2016.

They had the chance of electoral reform when in power and cocked it up. IMO they achieved nothing apart from ministerial cars/pensions and knighthoods. They didn't hold them to account or moderate the tories in any way.

And they stuffed my student sons re tuition fees. I realise that is making it personal.

PippaZ

So are you going for May 2024 Visgirl?

This country has no appetite for another election in the near future. The earliest could be October 2023, in my opinion this Government will want another 2 years.

Hmmm. 2023 imo. But with a new shiny leader. I think they’ll get rid of Johnson first. Ill health or something. He does look ill tbf altho I have no sympathy. They’ll say he’s got long Covid or something ?‍♀️ It’ll be a lie of course but that’s a daily occurrence now so would be no surprise

Mamardoit

I blame the LibDEms for putting Cameron in power in the first place. I don't really need to spell out what that led to in 2016.

They had the chance of electoral reform when in power and cocked it up. IMO they achieved nothing apart from ministerial cars/pensions and knighthoods. They didn't hold them to account or moderate the tories in any way.

And they stuffed my student sons re tuition fees. I realise that is making it personal.

I can't do with all this looking backwards Mamardoit. It's not as if a politician can't learn from their mistakes. They may not get all they stand for. However, what they stand for is still important. I am not sure how much power you think they had in the coalition.

It might cheer you up to know there is talk that the Tories will bring the University fees down to £7.5K. That may have you clapping in the aisles.

Sadly it's the usual Tory method of giving you a pint and then telling you to get a quart out of it. They never find out the actual cost. For example, health, care, junior and senior education have always been given a pint and expected to magic it into a quart. Running universities in this way presumably means Tory voters want them to be more like care, early education and the NHS.

Visgir1

PippaZ

So are you going for May 2024 Visgirl?

This country has no appetite for another election in the near future. The earliest could be October 2023, in my opinion this Government will want another 2 years.

One of the talking heads on Marr agrees with you.

I think the government want to have talked about all they are going to do re "leveling-up" but will not want to get as far as seeing their ideas put in to action.

I wouldn't put money on anything but it is interesting as they are obviously gearing up for something.

Can’t we have a ballot paper that says “I don’t want any of these”? That would probably be a landslide majority winner

I think it wii be earlier while the nations woes can still be blamed on Covid, the economy is going to be weak for many years, the longer it goes on the worse it will get. Also the opposition is likely to get stronger, let’s face it they can hardly be weaker.

Whitewavemark2

I’ve heard 2023.

In truth he will go for it if he thinks he will win.

Agreed....as any PM and political party would.

25Avalon

Can’t we have a ballot paper that says “I don’t want any of these”? That would probably be a landslide majority winner

Absolutely agree. It’d show those in power we aren’t apathetic or disinterested we’re just fed up with what’s on offer.

Sorry, pedants corner.... uninterested

? thank you. I’m happy to be corrected ?.

I agree with Polarbear2, Johnson will go and there will be a new leader (not sure about shiny new though). I think May 2023, but the Tories will move back towards the centre right ground before that, and there will be major changes in the cabinet.