Chamber News
UK General Election announced for July 4th
23 May 2024 • Sarah Medcraf
Rishi Sunak has called a general election for this summer.
The prime minister has been saying for months he would call a vote for the "second half of the year", and it will now be held on Thursday, 4 July.
Under the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022, Mr Sunak had until 17 December this year to call an election - as votes must be held no more than five years apart.
Mr Sunak became prime minister on 25 October 2022 when he succeeded Liz Truss. The prime minister has already requested permission from the King to hold a general election, as the power to dissolve parliament - end the session - legally lies with him.
Parliament must be "dissolved" for an election to officially take place. Polling day then takes place 25 working days after that date. Mr Sunak said in a speech outside Downing Street on Wednesday that the King had granted his request to dissolve parliament.
Who can vote in a general election?
Anyone on the electoral register aged 18 or above on polling day can vote in the general election as long as they are a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a Republic of Ireland citizen with a UK address.
All UK citizens who live abroad can register to vote in the constituency where they were previously on the electoral roll as long as they are not legally excluded from voting.
You can register to vote at any time if you are 16 or over - or 14 or over in Scotland
HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE