Jeremy Hunt hints that a general election is a long way off
Jeremy Hunt has suggested that the general election could be held in October as the nation still has no answer as to when they will go to the polls.
Rishi Sunak last week ruled out a snap vote on May 2 when voters will tick ballot boxes for the local elections.
His ‘working assumption’ is it will be held in the second half of this year, though pundits have speculated it will be held earlier.
The absolute latest a general election can be held – a decision made by the prime minister – is late January 2025. One has to be held every five years.
But the Chancellor told the House of Commons today that the election could be held in October.
The next spending review – which sets out each public service’s budget – has to be completed before the beginning of the fiscal year next April.
Hunt added: ‘And of course, if the general election is in October that will mean it’s very very tight and that is why we are thinking in advance about the most important element of that spending review which is the productivity element.’
He added earlier in the committee – where MPs are scrutinising government spending – that he hopes to hold ‘another fiscal event this parliament’.
A general election would first kick off with Sunak asking King Charles to ‘dissolve’ Parliament.
No, he’s not liquefying them. Dissolving is when Parliament is closed ahead of an election and MPs lose their status so have to campaign for re-election.
Government activity is also limited during this period.
The polls would open 25 days later.
Half of Britons would find an election in December or January 2025 unacceptable, according to a recent poll by YouGov.
Nearly seven in 10 respondents said the most ‘acceptable’ time to hold an election would be in May.
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