GENERAL Elections in the UK by law have to be held within five years of each other.
Here is all you need to know about when we are likely to next head to the polls – and if Boris is likely to call a snap one.
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What is a General Election?
A General Election is the chance for people in the UK to select an MP to represent their local area in the House of Commons.
Normally there will be several candidates, each from a different political party, standing to be the Member of Parliament in each constituency.
The vote will also determine who will be elected as the UK Prime Minister.
The last General Election was held on June 8, 2017.
Will Boris Johnson call a snap General Election?
Boris Johnson has “absolutely” ruled out calling a general election before the Brexit deadline day of October 31.
The new Prime Minister also pledged £1billion to recruit an extra 20,000 coppers as he pounded the beat in Birmingham.
Mr Johnson restated his commitment to take the UK out of the European Union on or before the deadline of Halloween this year.
The PM said: “The British people voted in 2015, in 2016, in 2017. What they want us to do is deliver on their mandate, come out of the EU on October 31.
“They don’t want another electoral event, they don’t want a referendum, they don’t want a general election. They want us to deliver.”
In recent weeks there had been speculation that the new Conservative leader could take the country to the polls in a bid to consolidate his power base.
Who will run if a snap election is called?
If a snap election is called, Boris will battle it out to retain his title as PM – it would be a chance for him to understand how confident the British public are in his skills, as his current position as PM was voted for by members of the conservative party.
A 2019 General Election could see some big changes to the Conservative party, as it looks like Tories may have to accept the possibility of a no-deal Brexit, and back that in Boris’ campaign.
Johnson would run against Jeremy Corbyn, who lost out to Theresa May in 2017 with 40 per cent of the UK’s vote.
However, voices from within and outside the Labour party are allegedly urging Corbyn to quit as Labour experiences record slumps in polls in the wake of several anti-antisemitism scandals.
A number of Labour MPs have been rumoured to be gunning to take over from Corbyn in Labour’s leadership, most notably London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Jo Swinson, who took over Lib Dem leadership this month would also run – Lib Dems currently stand on 18 per cent in the polls, their strongest result yet.
The Scottish National Party (SNP), the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Sinn Fein, Plaid Cymru and Green are also very likely to run.
Amid the Brexit drama, it’s likely that Farage’s Brexit party could be contenders after Nigel Farage questioned Boris’ ability to deliver Brexit.
The Independent Group for Change, formerly Change UK and fronted by Heidi Allen would likely stand the 5 MPs they have but risk losing their seats if they do.
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How often are General Elections held in the UK?
General Elections have to be held at least every five years in the UK.
Previously elections could be called simply by the Prime Minister going to the Queen at any point within five years of the last one.
But after the Fixed Term Parliament Act was passed in 2011 the five-year gap was enshrined in law.
The act states that General Elections are to be held on the first Thursday in May every five years.
However, it has two provisos for the polls opening early.
Firstly: “A motion of no confidence passed in Her Majesty’s Government by a simple majority and 14 days elapses without the House passing a confidence motion in any new Government formed.”
And Secondly: “A motion for a General Election is agreed by two thirds of the total number of seats in the Commons including vacant seats (currently 434 out of 650).”
When is the next General Election?
The next General Election in the United Kingdom is scheduled to be held on May 5, 2022, under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011.
The date of the last General Election was June 8, 2017, which saw the Conservatives lose their majority but remain in Government after they struck a deal with the DUP.
The next General Election is scheduled for 2022 – provided Boris Johnson doesn’t call a snap election.
What could cause a snap election?
A snap election could be called if there is a Remainer revolt against a No Deal Brexit.
Rivals of Boris Johnson believe that the frontrunner for No10 is gearing up for a General Election later this year.
Britain isn’t due a national election until 2022.
Theresa May called a shock snap election in 2017 to try and strengthen the Conservative’s hold on Parliament backfired when her majority was slashed by 13 seats.
If Boris becomes PM next month, he could call a General Election for early September.
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