The United Kingdom is set to hold the general election on July 4, reported British media on Wednesday as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak convened a meeting with his top ministers. Major news outlets, including the BBC, ITV, Sky News, and The Guardian, indicated that Sunak is expected to announce the election date in an official Downing Street statement following the Cabinet meeting.
Sunak’s office has neither confirmed nor denied the reports as it refused to “rule anything in or out,” adding fuel to the speculation that the general election might be set for this summer on the back of more positive economic data. The United Kingdom is constitutionally required to hold a national election by January 2025 and Prime Minister Sunak has repeatedly said it would take place in the latter half of 2024.
Earlier today, responding to a lawmaker’s inquiry about a possible summer vote, Sunak said, “Spoiler alert: There is going to be a general election in the second half of this year.” This election marks the first time Sunak, 44, will face the electorate as Prime Minister. He was appointed leader of the Conservative Party in October 2022 after an internal vote.
This upcoming vote will be the third general election since the Brexit referendum in 2016. The rumour mill went into overdrive when Foreign Secretary David Cameron was abruptly recalled from a trip to Albania, and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps postponed a trip to Eastern Europe to attend the crucial Cabinet meeting.
