UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has officially quashed any speculation of a general election transpiring on May 2, putting an end to months of conjecture surrounding the possibility of an early electoral showdown.
In an interview with ITV News on Thursday, Sunak clarified his stance, indicating that while he had previously hinted at the likelihood of an election occurring in the latter part of the year, the prospect of one in May was not entirely ruled out. However, he has now unequivocally stated that there will be no general election on May 2.
Highlighting the upcoming elections for police and crime commissioners, local councils, and mayors across the country in the ensuing weeks, Sunak emphasized the focus on these localized electoral processes.
The UK's local elections are slated to take place on May 2, but when pressed about the possibility of a concurrent general election, Sunak firmly asserted, "There won't be a general election on that day."
According to UK law, the latest plausible date for a general election is by the conclusion of January 2025.
The Conservative Party, currently trailing behind the main opposition Labour Party in opinion polls, has been grappling with internal deliberations over the optimal timing for an election. While some Tory lawmakers advocate for an early election to preempt any further decline in their position, others advocate for delaying until the latter half of the year to allow more time for economic recovery efforts and to bolster voter support.
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