Rishi Sunak rules out May 2 general election

Rishi Sunak has ruled out a general election on May 2 amid speculation the Prime Minister may opt for an early vote.

Mr Sunak has previously said his “working assumption” is for an election to be held later this year, but he had not previously ruled out a May one – until now.

When asked by ITV whether there would be an election that day (as well as local and mayoral elections), Mr Sunak replied: “There will be no general election that day.

“But when the election comes, it’s choices that matter.”

As the Conservatives continue to trail Labor in opinion polls, Mr Sunak is under pressure from some MPs to call a general election in May to prevent the political and economic situation from deteriorating.

Those campaigning for a May election believe holding out until the autumn could mean a summer news cycle dominated by an increase in small boat crossings in the English Channel – which could be a major election issue – while MPs have previously told Sky News, They do not believe Mr Sunak has “nothing left in the tank”.

General elections could be held by the end of January 2025 at the latest.

However, others believe the Prime Minister must be given more time to try to turn around the polls, which currently see his party trailing Labor by 26 points.

Economic data is also likely to improve in the coming weeks following the release of monthly data. Tuesday’s GDP data suggests UK is emerging from recession By the time of the next quarterly data in May.

Opposition parties have been calling for a general election, with Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer accusing Sunak of “hunkering down in Downing Street” earlier this year.

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey accused Sunak of “campaigning in fear of the May election”.

“He knows voters will no longer put up with the Conservative government’s failures on the NHS and the cost of living crisis,” he said.

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