Next UK Election Date Odds: Betting Suspended As Sunak Announces July 4 For Vote
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shocked the nation on May 22 by calling a general election for July 4, despite his Conservative Party trailing Labour by over 20 points in most polls.
UK betting sites have now suspended betting on the date of the next election following Sunak’s surprise announcement in the rain outside 10 Downing Street.
Most Westminster observers expected Sunak to wait until the Autumn to go to the polls, allowing his party more time to stage an unlikely comeback.
This would have given time for economic conditions to improve and 20-year-high interest rates to fall further after the announcement this week that inflation has fallen to 2.3%.
Instead, he chose to call an early election and it could well be that Sunak's decision stems from the realisation that there might not be a better opportunity to present his policies to the public.
Sunak’s Summer Gamble
This will be the UK’s first July election since 1945 following the end of World War II, when Labour achieved a landslide victory against the incumbent Winston Churchill.
It's a bold move, considering the Tories are significantly trailing in the polls and much of the country will be focused on the Euro 2024 football tournament.
However, with inflation nearly back to the Bank of England’s 2% target, the PM came out fighting, claiming that this, “hard earned economic stability” would be endangered by Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour.
The Prime Minister's rain-soaked statement was nearly drowned out by protesters on Whitehall, loudly blasting out Labour's 1997 campaign anthem, "Things Can Only Get Better."
But what if things can only get worse between now and July? What if new legal challenges or unforeseen problems put a halt to the Conservative’s controversial Rwanda plan?
What if the recent inflation figures aren’t enough to convince the Bank of England to cut interest rates before the big day? And what if their campaign is hijacked by the right in the form of the Reform UK?
Almost exactly 80 years later, Mr Sunak and his beleaguered party could well suffer the same fate as Mr Churchill with politics betting sites suggesting that may well be the case.
Labour And Lib Dems Look To Make Hay In July Sunshine
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the PM’s announcement and said it was the "opportunity for change" and the "moment the country needs and has been waiting for."
Sir Keir has so far refrained from making grand pre-election promises, concentrating instead on six “first steps” he would take if elected prime minister.
These include creating two million more NHS appointments and recruiting 6,500 new teachers, funded by imposing VAT on private school fees.
Sir Keir has also stated he would immediately scrap Mr. Sunak’s plan to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda and establish a new Border Security Command to address small boat crossings.
Labour has also committed to adhering to "tough" spending limits, indicating that there won't be much extra funding for public services until the economy shows stronger growth.
Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, responded positively to the election announcement and urged voters to "kick this appalling Conservative government out of office."
And if recent local election results are anything to go by, he may get his wish with the Tories losing more than 470 councillors and control of 10 councils on a devastating night on May 3.
UK Betting Apps are in little doubt who will be in government on July 5 with Bet365 offering 1/20 on a Labour victory and 10/1 on a Conservative win.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next UK election?
The next UK election will take place on Thursday 4 July. Voters can apply to cast a postal vote no later than 11 working days before the election, and a proxy vote no later than six working days. Most voters will vote in person on the day.
How often is there a UK election?
UK general elections cannot be held more than five years apart because a single ‘parliament’ has a maximum five-year lifespan. However, a snap election can be held so long as it has the backing of two-thirds of MPs. Prime ministers often call elections in the final year of a parliament, usually in the spring or summer months.
Who will win the 2024 UK election?
Labour look set to win the UK election. Bookmakers believe Labour could be heading towards a landslide victory, while the Conservatives could lose more than half of their current 344 seats. Labour will also challenge the SNP in Scotland, while the Lib Dems, Greens and Reform UK are all looking to make an impact at the expense of the Tories.
What are the latest UK politics odds?
The latest UK politics odds back Labour at 1/12 to win the 2024 election. The Conservatives are 16/1 to form a minority government, and 33/1 to secure a majority. Sir Keir Starmer is 1/16 to be the next UK prime minister, while Rishi Sunak is 8/1 to keep his job in Downing Street.
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