The next UK general election is set to be a significant event in British politics. Scheduled for 4 July 2024, this election will determine the composition of the House of Commons and, ultimately, the next government. Here are five key things to know about this upcoming election.

1. Election Date and Reason

Date: The UK general election will take place on Thursday, 4 July 2024. This is notable as it is the first July general election since 1945, breaking the tradition of holding elections in spring or autumn.

Reason: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak decided to call a snap election to seek a renewed mandate for his government. The decision was influenced by the political climate, economic challenges, and the desire to strengthen the Conservative Party’s position before the end of the year.

2. New Electoral Boundaries

Changes: The 2024 election will be conducted under new constituency boundaries, following the implementation of the Sixth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies. This review aimed to ensure fairer representation by balancing the population across constituencies.

Impact: The changes involve significant adjustments, with some constituencies being enlarged, reduced, or completely redefined. For instance, Southern England will gain more seats due to higher population growth, while Northern England will lose some. These adjustments are expected to benefit the Conservative Party, as they typically perform better in the South.

3. Voting System and Regulations

System: The UK uses a first-past-the-post voting system. In this system, the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins a seat in the House of Commons, without the need for a majority.

Regulations: Recent changes include the introduction of a voter ID requirement, which aims to prevent electoral fraud. Additionally, British citizens living abroad will now be allowed to vote without the previous 15-year limit, potentially increasing the overseas vote’s impact on the election outcome.

4. Political Landscape and Key Players

Parties: The primary contenders in this election are the Conservative Party, led by Rishi Sunak, and the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer. The Liberal Democrats, the Scottish National Party (SNP), and other smaller parties will also participate, influencing the overall results.

Key Issues: The election campaigns will focus on several critical issues, including the economy, healthcare, and immigration policies. The handling of the cost-of-living crisis, environmental policies, and public services are also expected to be significant talking points. Voters will scrutinise party policies and past performance on these fronts to make their decisions.

5. Election Procedures and Campaign Period

Procedure: Parliament was prorogued on 24 May 2024 and will be dissolved on 30 May 2024. This marks the beginning of the official campaign period, which lasts 25 working days until polling day on 4 July.

Campaign: During the campaign period, government activities are restricted to maintain impartiality. This is known as the “pre-election period” or “purdah,” ensuring that public resources are not used to favour the incumbent party. MPs cease to hold their positions once Parliament is dissolved, but their staff can continue to handle certain casework under strict rules.