When will the general election be?

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published 13 January 2024

2024 is set to be a big one for elections, with voters casting ballots in countries accounting for about 4.2 billion or 50% of the global population. Britons will almost certainly be among them. The question is when, says Rachel Cunliffe in The New Statesman.

In December, Rishi Sunak told reporters that the election would be held in 2024. The most likely dates are May, October or late November. The decision to implement the tax cuts announced in November’s Autumn Statement in January rather than April and the fact that this year’s Budget would be held on the earlier date of 6 March, along with recent hints of further tax cuts, notably to inheritance tax, suggest that May is the preferred date.

That gives Sunak the chance to “look decisive” and avoid accusations of “clinging on”. Two-thirds of voters want an early election, and another summer of Channel boat crossings could be electorally expensive.

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“Most obviously,” says Henry Hill in The Guardian, the local elections are on 2 May and it would be advantageous for the general election to coincide. It would “encourage Conservative voters to the polls and help avoid, or at least ameliorate, the devastating loss of councillors that otherwise might result... Wait until after May, and CCHQ will have lost hundreds of its most dedicated foot soldiers: its Tory councillors”. That said, the polls are currently “dismal” for the Tories, with Labour maintaining its poll lead of 15-20 points. Sunak may go “cold on the idea” of a May election if the polls don’t improve.

Nor can Sunak turn the election into a “presidential-style contest”, says Adam Forrest in The Independent. Keir Starmer is the most popular leader in 390 seats, including Sunak’s own Yorkshire constituency, according to a poll by Focaldata, while Sunak is favoured in just four seats. The “only silver lining” for the prime minister comes from the “don’t-knows” that were ahead in 238 seats.

Could the Tories still take it? A shock Tory win isn’t out of the question, says Luke Tryl in The Telegraph. People today are much more likely to change their minds over a short space of time.

More than 25% of the “don’t-knows” are “would-be core Tory voters” who are fed up with the current government, but are more likely to vote Tory than Labour, when push comes to shove. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party could cost the Tories at least 30 seats if it retains its popularity. If the Tories can tempt some Reform voters or persuade the party to stand down, it will “save them seats”. Nor is there much love for Starmer – his approval ratings fall far short of those enjoyed by Tony Blair before Labour’s landslide win in 1997, notes The Times. This might not matter given current distaste for the Tories, but if the economy improves there is a “chance” that the Tories can go into the election on a platform of “don’t risk the recovery with Labour”.

The economy is “central to any Tory comeback”, with the cost of living continuing to far outstrip voters’ other concerns. During controversial secret talks, Dominic Cummings reportedly advised Sunak to make some “big, decisive moves”, such as holding an emergency budget and doubling the 40p income-tax threshold to £100,000, says Katy Balls in The Times. A less dramatic “gear shift” is more likely.

For all the speculation, it is “highly likely” Starmer will enter No. 10 this year, says The Times. Given this and the many “impediments to Britain’s recovery”, Starmer “owes the voters greater candour about how Labour would govern amid hardship at home and conflict overseas”.

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Emily has extensive experience in the world of journalism. She has worked on MoneyWeek for more than 20 years as a former assistant editor and writer. Emily has previously worked on titles including The Times as a Deputy Features Editor, Commissioning Editor at The Independent Sunday Review, The Daily Telegraph, and she spent three years at women's lifestyle magazine Marie Claire as a features writer for three years, early on in her career.

On MoneyWeek, Emily’s coverage includes Brexit and global markets such as Russia and China. Aside from her writing, Emily is a Nutritional Therapist and she runs her own business called Root Branch Nutrition in Oxfordshire, where she offers consultations and workshops on nutrition and health.