By Kate Whannel
Political reporter
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said there will not be a general election on 2 May, the date when local elections are already taking place.
Earlier this year, Mr Sunak suggested the general election would happen in the second half of 2024.
More recently, there had been some speculation in Westminster that the PM might choose to hold an earlier ballot.
But, speaking to ITV News West Country on Thursday, Mr Sunak ruled out polling day being the first Thursday in May.
He told the broadcaster: “In several weeks’ time we’ve got elections for police and crime commissioners, for local councils, for mayors across the country.”
Asked if there would also be a general election at the same time, Mr Sunak said: “There won’t be a general election on that day but when there is a general election, what matters is the choice.”
He also told ITV News: “I can see that the Labour Party are trying to whip up this idea that I’m about to call a general election. It’s very deliberate, it’s because they want to avoid questions about how they’re going to fund all of their spending commitments.”
In the UK, general elections – where MPs are voted to Parliament – are held every five years.
The latest the next election could legally be held is 28 January 2025, however Mr Sunak has the power to call one earlier than that.
If the PM had been planning to hold a spring election, 2 May would have been the most likely date, given the other elections taking place that day. However, in theory, he could still hold a general election in April or at a later date in May.
In order to hold an election, the prime minister has to first ask the King to close Parliament. The general election generally takes place 25 days later.
Labour’s election co-ordinator Pat McFadden said: “After 14 years of Tory failure, the British public have the right to expect an election to be called by 26 March and held on 2 May.
“Rishi Sunak should stop squatting in Downing Street and give the country what it desperately needs – a chance for change with a Labour government.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused the prime minister of “running scared” of a May election.
