Rishi Sunak working towards general election in 'second half of the year'

If the Conservatives had any sense of patriotism, they’d call an election. Instead, they’ll allow the stagnation to continue.

I think that a election should have been called since the resignation of Boris Johnson.

The party selects the Prime Minister, not the electorate.

I was against an election when Johnson resigned because, as Rakas says, we don't elect the PM, and also because we'd had a string of relatively short parliaments. However we are now over 4 years since the last General Election, so a reasonable amount of time has passed , and it's clear that the public would like a change of governance. A spring election would be most appropriate I think, though Sunak may go for October so he can get 2 years in.

I would once again digress with those above, there is nothing that obligates the government to call an election before the Executive wishes (at least before December 2024).

Given that the May local elections are based upon the 2020 map and that polling is not especially fortunate, i don't think that they would wish to magnify local election losses by having increased turnout. I believe that Sep 19th or Oct 24th are better (thursday before the equinox and Halloween respectively - can't hold it on the 31st for obvious branding reasons). The added bonus of the 24th is that he would still be Prime Minister on the 25th which is the 2 year mark.

I tend to rule out January because he wants at least some control over the date and i don't think a turnout dependent government (current polling data suggests that low turnout will harm the Tories due to higher 2019 Tory DK rates) would want to risk poor weather. Even October risks that with dark evenings.

If i were Mr Sunak, i would go for a short 3 week campaign to force the question and prevent anybody else getting the wind in their sail but have the date at September 19th (so announce on say August Bank Holiday).

I would once again digress with those above, there is nothing that obligates the government to call an election before the Executive wishes (at least before December 2024).

Given that the May local elections are based upon the 2020 map and that polling is not especially fortunate, i don't think that they would wish to magnify local election losses by having increased turnout. I believe that Sep 19th or Oct 24th are better (thursday before the equinox and Halloween respectively - can't hold it on the 31st for obvious branding reasons). The added bonus of the 24th is that he would still be Prime Minister on the 25th which is the 2 year mark.

I tend to rule out January because he wants at least some control over the date and i don't think a turnout dependent government (current polling data suggests that low turnout will harm the Tories due to higher 2019 Tory DK rates) would want to risk poor weather. Even October risks that with dark evenings.

If i were Mr Sunak, i would go for a short 3 week campaign to force the question and prevent anybody else getting the wind in their sail but have the date at September 19th (so announce on say August Bank Holiday).