What is a snap election?

RISHI Sunak has refused to rule out an earlier-than-expected election in July.

There has been speculation that Mr Sunak could be considering calling the vote in July, but is remaining vague on dates. Here’s all you need to know about a snap election.

PA

What is a snap election?

A snap election is one that is called earlier than expected – or when not required.

The “snap” element is often used as a tactic to exploit the opposition’s weakness, or for a party to boost their majority in parliament.

The then Prime Minister Theresa May called a shock snap election in 2017.

But her gamble to try to strengthen the Tories’ hold on Parliament backfired when her majority was slashed by 13 seats.

It put the Conservatives below the 326 seats needed to form a government — leading her to get the support of Northern Ireland’s DUP in a £1billion supply-and-demand deal to keep them in power.

Previously elections could be called simply by the Prime Minister going to the Head Of State at any point within five years of the last one.

But after the Fixed Term Parliament Act was passed in 2011 the five-year gap was enshrined in law.

What would cause a snap election?

Mr Sunak could call a snap general election if 10 Conservative MPs defect to Reform UK.

He could also choose to step down or call a snap election if panicked MPs trigger a confidence vote in him,

A senior MP who is supportive of Mr Sunak said: “The thing is, even if Rishi wins a confidence vote he won’t want to carry on until the autumn with half the party against him.

“He could call a general election there and then.”

We already look in such disarray. If we throw another one out, are we going to look even more crazy?”

A former minister

The pollsters asked the public if they thought the party would do better in the coming election if Boris Johnson was still leader.

Thirty-seven per cent of people said they thought it would, but 63 per cent disagreed.

One of the biggest worries is how a change in leader would make the party look to the public.

An ex-minister said: “We already look in such disarray. If we throw another one out, are we going to look even more crazy?”

On April 28, 2024, Mr Sunak refused to rule out holding a snap election in July when asked by Sky News.

However, No10 has dismissed reports he would call a vote anytime soon.

A Downing Street source said: “The PM has made clear that his working assumption is that the election will be held in the second half of the year.

“In the meantime we’re focused on delivering for people right across the country, and in the last two weeks alone we’ve introduced transformational welfare reform, passed the toughest bit of legislation to crack down on illegal migration and have provided the biggest strengthening to our defence in a generation.”

Mr Sunak also mentioned that he would wait for economic improvements to come through which could suggest an election later in the year.

“I’m determined to make sure that people feel when the election comes that the future is better, that we have turned the corner,” he said.