Today, Liz Truss shot off the idea of a hastily called general election, promising to give the Conservatives a “big victory” in 2024.
After defeating Rishi Sunak for the party leadership, the newly elected PM made it clear that she had no plans to hold early elections.
Some opposition lawmakers have recommended that the new premier immediately ask voters for a mandate.
However, Ms. Truss outlined a two-year timeline since the Conservatives were lagging Labour in the polls and the nation was suffering from a cost-of-living crisis.
In a speech at the lavish leadership announcement, Ms Truss promised activists: ‘We will deliver a magnificent triumph for the Conservative Party in 2024.’
The Coalition government’s legislation that established a date in May every five years had taken away the PM’s authority to call elections; this authority has now been restored.
Any date in 2024 would be earlier than the current legal requirement, which places the earliest date for the subsequent election as January 23, 2025.
Ministers have acknowledged that most politicians would not be interested in running in a contest during the winter of 2024–2025 because it would require them to campaign through the Christmas holiday.
In order to break the deadlock over Brexit, Boris Johnson called a vote in December 2019.
Consequently, a vote held at a slightly earlier time has always appeared more likely.
The campaign could be held on May 2, 2024, the same day as the local elections.
Elections for local councils in England and Wales, as well as for mayors in London, Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, and Merseyside, are set for this day.
However, Liz Truss will only have 20 months to serve as prime minister before the May 2, 2024, general election.
Elections in early fall 2024, just after Ms. Truss has completed her second year in the position but before the clocks are set back at the end of October, could also be an option.
She will have to make a quick decision and follow through in order for it to have an impact on voters before election day.