Liz Truss pours cold water on prospect of snap general election

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Liz Truss pours cold water on prospect of snap general election vowing to deliver a ‘great victory’ for the Tories in 2024

  • Liz Truss has pledged to deliver a ‘great victory’ for the Tories in 2024 election
  • She appeared to rule out snap election despite calls from Opposition politicians
  • The Tories have been trailing far behind Keir Starmer’s Labour in polls recently 

Liz Truss today poured cold water on the prospects of a snap general election vowing to deliver a ‘great victory’ for the Tories in 2024.

The incoming PM made clear she is not intending to go to the polls early after defeating Rishi Sunak for the party leadership.

Some Opposition MPs have suggested that the new premier should seek a mandate from voters immediately.  

But with the Conservatives trailing Labour in the polls and the country wracked by a cost-of-living crisis, Ms Truss laid out a two-year timetable. 

In a speech at the glitzy leadership announcement, Ms Truss told activists: ‘We will deliver a great victory for the Conservative Party in 2024.’ 

Liz Truss made clear she is not intending to go to the polls early after defeating Rishi Sunak for the party leadership

The PM has reclaimed the power to call an election, which had been taken away by Coalition government legislation that fixed a date in May every five years. 

Any date in 2024 would be sooner than is now required by law, which gives the last possible timing for the next election as January 23, 2025.

But ministers have admitted a contest in the winter of 2024-25 would not appeal to most politicians, given it would mean campaigning during the Christmas period.

Boris Johnson held a vote in December 2019 but only because Parliament was completely gridlocked over Brexit. 

As such, an election at a slightly earlier date has always seemed the more likely outcome.

One option would be to hold the contest on the same day as the local elections on May 2 2024.

Polls are scheduled to take place on this date for local councils in England and Wales, along with mayoral elections in London, Greater Manchester, the West Midlands and Merseyside.

A general election on May 2 2024 means Liz Truss has only 20 months between taking office as prime minister and facing the voters, however.

Another option could be an election in early autumn 2024, shortly after Ms Truss has notched up two years in the job but before the clocks go back at the end of October.

Whatever she decides to do, she will need to act fast in order for her decisions to leave an impression on voters before polling day arrives.

Keir Starmer’s Labour party is currently well ahead of the Tories in the polls

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