The United Kingdom is going to have a General Election on July 4th, 2024 to choose the political party that will lead the government for the next few years.
Many people thought the election would happen in the autumn. Even British YouTubers started to make videos about it. But the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, announced the election date quite suddenly on May 22nd, 2024.
So what happens between now and July 4th? There are some key dates that are important to know about. These dates mark the different stages leading up to election day itself. Here are the major ones:
May 30th – Parliament Is Dissolved
On May 30th, the current Parliament was ‘dissolved.’ This means all the Members of Parliament (MPs) had to vacate or leave their seats. Parliament can’t meet or do any business once it’s dissolved for an election.
June 7th – Parties Pick Their Candidates
By June 7th, all the major political parties need to decide on their candidates for each local area or constituency.
June 5th to 15th – Party Manifestos Released
During this window in early June, the major parties will release their manifestos. A manifesto explains the party’s main ideas and plans if they get elected to run the government. It outlines the policies and programs they plan to enact.
June 18th – Voter Registration Deadline
To vote in the election, you need to be registered. June 18th is the cutoff date for getting registered to be able to vote on July 4th. Anyone who isn’t registered by then can’t vote this time.
July 4th – Election Day!
This is the big day when voting happens across the whole country. People will go to their local polling stations and cast their votes between 7 am and 10 pm on July 4th. The results that night will decide which party the UK election odds favor and go on to form the next government.
Once the votes are tallied up, there are a couple more key dates after July 4th:
July 9th – New MPs Are Sworn In
The people who got elected as the new Members of Parliament will be sworn into those roles on July 9th.
July 17th – State Opening of New Parliament
On July 17th, there will be an official State Opening ceremony for the new Parliament session. This is when the new government outlines all the laws and policies it wants to put in place.
There could also be a new Budget announced in the fall by the winning party. This would let them make changes to taxes, spending, and other financial matters.
Final Thoughts
Looking at those key dates between now and July 4th, one can see that it’s a fairly condensed schedule for a snap general election. Looking at public opinion, people are more confident in the Labour Party.
According to a Redfield & Wilton Strategies voting intention survey, the Labour Party is ahead of the Conservatives by a massive 26 points, with 45% for Labour and only 19% for the Conservatives. The poll also shows Reform UK closing in on the Conservatives, with 17% support compared to the Tories’ 19%.
However, a lot could happen in the next six weeks before the election. Anything can change during the campaign period as the parties try to win over voters. The party manifestos and TV debates will likely play a big role in determining people’s votes.
No matter who ends up winning on July 4th, it is certain that the UK is getting a lot of new MPs this time as many current ones have decided to step down after this term. So the next government will have plenty of fresh faces in Parliament.
FAQs
The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, announced the election date earlier than expected to seek a new mandate from the electorate before the end of the current parliamentary term. This decision was made to potentially capitalize on favorable polling and political circumstances.
Dissolution of Parliament occurs when all Members of Parliament (MPs) vacate their seats. During this period, Parliament ceases to function, and no official business can be conducted until after the election results are declared.
