UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has put to rest speculations about a general election happening on May 2, suggesting it will likely be postponed until later in the year, Bloomberg reported.
"In several weeks on May 2, we have elections on local issues, police and crime commissioners, mayors. There won’t be a general election on that day," Sunak stated in an interview with ITV on Thursday evening.
Sunak's announcement comes after weeks of Westminster buzzing with rumors about the possibility of an early general election. The UK must hold a vote before January 2025.
Although Sunak had previously hinted at a general election in the "second half" of 2024, his failure to explicitly rule out a May vote fueled speculation that he might opt for a snap election if he felt his political standing was at risk.
Recent controversies, including allegations of racist remarks by a top Tory donor, have increased pressure on the prime minister. Before Sunak's clarification, Bloomberg reported that some Cabinet ministers were privately discussing the prospect of replacing him.
This reflects the level of concern within the Conservative Party, which has trailed behind the opposition Labour Party by approximately 20 points in opinion polls for months. Some Tory members have even called for Sunak's removal.
While Sunak's aides are considering an autumn election, there's speculation within the Tory party that July could also be a possible date.
Sunak's decision not to greenlight a May 2 election suggests that he will face local elections on that day, where the Conservative Party is expected to struggle, adding to the challenges Sunak is already facing.
The upcoming months will be critical for Sunak, with uncertainties surrounding the implementation of his migration policy, which aims to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda by spring, before a potential surge in migrants crossing the English Channel during the summer months.
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