The Next UK Election
With counting now underway in 230 local elections across England, attention has turned to the following UK election. This vote will take place in 2024, though the prime minister has the leeway to call it earlier.
How is the UK Election Organised?
The political party runs the UK government or coalition that holds the majority of seats in the House of Commons, the lower house of the UK Parliament. The majority party or coalition leader becomes the Prime Minister and is responsible for leading the government.
Here’s how it typically works:
- General Elections: General elections are held in the UK to elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to the House of Commons. Each constituency elects one MP. The political party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons forms the government.
- Majority Party: If one party wins the most seats (at least 326 out of 650), its leader becomes the Prime Minister. The monarch invites the party leader to form a government.
- Coalition Government: A coalition government may be formed if no single party wins an outright majority. In this case, two or more parties agree to work together to command a majority of seats in the House of Commons. The leader of the largest party in the coalition becomes the Prime Minister.
- Prime Minister: The Prime Minister is the head of the government and is responsible for leading the executive branch, setting government policies, and representing the UK domestically and internationally.
- Cabinet: The Prime Minister appoints members of the Cabinet, who are senior government ministers responsible for specific government departments (e.g., Chancellor of the Exchequer, Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary). They help formulate and implement government policies.
- Parliament: The UK Parliament holds the government accountable, consisting of the House of Commons (elected) and the House of Lords (appointed). Proposed laws (bills) are debated and must be approved by both houses before becoming law.
King Charles III played a ceremonial role in the government and invited the majority party’s leader to form a government based on the election results.
| UK Political Party Agendas |
| Beliefs |
Conservative Party |
Labour Party |
| Ideaology |
The Conservative Party, often referred to as the Tories, is a center-right political party. It emphasises individual liberty, free-market capitalism, and limited government intervention in the economy. It traditionally supports conservative social values and a strong national defense. |
The Labour Party is a center-left political party with a focus on social justice, workers’ rights, and wealth redistribution. It advocates for a larger role of government in the economy and public services.
|
| Economical Policy |
Conservatives generally advocate for lower taxes, deregulation, and policies that promote business growth. They often prioritise reducing government spending and debt. |
Labour tends to support higher taxes on the wealthy, increased public spending, and government intervention in areas like healthcare and education. It often emphasises reducing income inequality.
|
| Social Policy |
The party has traditionally held more conservative views on social issues, such as family values and law and order. However, there can be variations among individual members. |
Labour traditionally supports progressive social policies, including LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, and multiculturalism.
|
| Historical Background |
The Conservative Party has a long history and has been one of the UK’s two major political parties for many decades. It has been in power numerous times throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. |
The Labour Party emerged in the early 20th century as a political representation of the working-class and trade union movement. It has had periods in power and in opposition throughout its history.
|
What Happens in a UK Election?
In a UK election, which can refer to a general election or various other types of elections such as local elections, the following typically happens:
- Political parties and candidates campaign to persuade voters to support them. They engage in rallies, door-knocking, and distributing campaign materials.
- Eligible citizens must be registered to vote. Registration is usually done in advance of the election.
- Registered voters go to their designated polling stations on election day to cast their votes. They mark an “X” next to their chosen candidate’s name on the ballot paper.
- After the polls close, the votes are counted at the polling stations, and the results are reported to local election officials.
- The results from all polling stations are collated, and the winning candidate or party in each constituency or area is declared. Depending on the election’s scope, this process may take several hours or longer.
- In a general election, the political party or coalition that wins the most seats in the House of Commons forms the government. If one party has an absolute majority, its leader becomes the Prime Minister. A coalition government may be formed if no party has an outright majority.
- Elected candidates represent constituencies or areas in the relevant legislative body, such as the House of Commons, local councils, or devolved parliaments/assemblies.
- Parties not forming the government become the opposition, holding the government accountable by scrutinising its policies and decisions.
- The government, if elected, implements its policies and agendas while the opposition challenges and debates those policies.
- In the UK, general elections are typically held every five years, although there are provisions for earlier elections under certain circumstances.
What is An Election?
An election is a process where adults choose their representatives. Politicians spend weeks campaigning, knocking on doors and delivering speeches to persuade people to vote for them. The most important election is a general election to the House of Commons. Still, there are elections for devolved parliaments and assemblies, local councils, police and crime commissioners and mayoral races.
If a political party secures more than 326 seats in the House of Commons, it wins a majority, and the Queen invites the leader to form a government. If no one party wins a majority, there is a hung parliament, and the largest party becomes His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.
The vast majority of election candidates belong to groups called political parties, and the larger ones publish manifestos detailing what they would do if elected. They also submit their finances to the Electoral Commission. Under the Fixed-Term Parliament Act, a general election must occur every five years, but the prime minister can call an early election if they want.
Elections in the UK
The UK is divided into 650 local areas called constituencies. Each elects one member of Parliament (MP) through the first past the post system of election. Most MPs are members of political parties, but some stand as independents.
- The Prime Minister can call a general election whenever they want before their five-year term ends. They typically do so when they have a clear lead in opinion polls.
- A general election occurs every five years, but under the Fixed Term Parliament Act 2011, the Government could hold an earlier vote. This would allow them to cut taxes in the budget before the election or carry out other popular policies.
- The largest party not in government becomes the Official Opposition, known as His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. Currently, this is the Labour Party.
- The Opposition may also form a coalition with other parties or work alongside the Government as part of a confidence and supply agreement.
Who Can Vote in UK Elections?
In the UK, elections are held for members of parliament (MPs), local government councillors and police and crime commissioners. People stand as candidates for a political party or as independents.
The party with the most elected MPs forms a government led by its leader, who is known as the prime minister. In rare cases, the most prominent parties might not have enough seats to form a government, so they can agree to work with smaller parties to share power.
The franchise for UK elections varies depending on where in the country you live. In England, anyone aged 18 or over who will reside in a constituency on polling day can vote. This includes British citizens, Commonwealth and Irish citizens, and EU citizens living in the UK legally registered to vote. Convicted prisoners and voluntary patients in mental hospitals are not entitled to vote, but remand prisoners can make a service declaration to register.
What Are The Main UK Political Parties
In the last few elections, the Conservatives have topped the poll. Still, on two occasions since World War II – 1951 and February 1974 – parliament has returned to a hung parliament where no single party can command a majority of seats. This means that whoever wins, the parties will have to form a coalition to govern.
It’s important to note that both parties have evolved and adapted their positions over time, and each party can have internal ideological variations. Additionally, there are other political parties in the UK, including the Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party (SNP), and others, each with distinct policies and priorities.
Voters in the UK choose between these parties based on their alignment with the parties’ ideologies and specific policy proposals during elections.
Seeking a mandate to strengthen her hand in negotiations on Britain’s exit from the European Union (Brexit), Theresa May called a snap election. She lost her majority and had to enlist the support of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party in a deal to empower her minority government. Boris Johnson hopes to win backing for his clear policy on Brexit – leaving as soon as possible, with or without a deal. He also wants to renegotiate the terms of UK membership of the EU and promises that his “great new deal” will boost jobs and growth.
Next UK Election – Other useful links from our Knowledge Centre:
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