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UK election called for July 4th.

Goonie

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With 6 weeks notice Sunak gambles on a July 4th election. At almost 22 points behind labour in the polls he has taken his own party by surprise.
 
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With 6 weeks notice Sunak gambles on a July 4th election. At almost 22 points behind labour in the polls he has taken his own party by surprise.
Why does the UK election change dates? In the US, the general election is always in November.
 
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Goonie

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Why does the UK election change dates? In the US, the general election is always in November.
Because in the UK it is up to the Prime Minister when an election is held, though an election must be held within 5 years of the previous one. 5 years is the maximum term.

So for the ruling party being able to declare an election at a time of their choosing is one big advantage.
 
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AlexB23

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Because in the UK it is up to the Prime Minister when an election is held, though an election must be held within 5 years of the previous one. 5 years is the maximum term.

So for the ruling party being able to declare an election at a time of their choosing is one big advantage.
Interesting stuff, so hypothetically, a PM named Joe Smith could chose to run only for a little over one year, say from May 1, 2100 to December 1, 2101, and then declare December 1, 2101 to be the next election? Then, the next elected minister, say Mary Johnson could chose to run the full 5 years until November 30, 2106?

(using fictional dates to ask the question)
 
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Occams Barber

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Why does the UK election change dates? In the US, the general election is always in November.

Because in the UK it is up to the Prime Minister when an election is held, though an election must be held within 5 years of the previous one. 5 years is the maximum term.
Australia is similar to the UK where the ruling party (the 'Government') gets to choose the election date within a shorter, three year, maximum term.

OB
 
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Goonie

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Interesting stuff, so hypothetically, a PM named Joe Smith could chose to run only for a little over one year, say from May 1, 2100 to December 1, 2101, and then declare December 1, 2101 to be the next election? Then, the next elected minister, say Mary Johnson could chose to run the full 5 years until November 30, 2106?

(using fictional dates to ask the question)
With notice, 6 weeks. And if the monarch agrees yep.
 
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AlexB23

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With notice, 6 weeks. And if the monarch agrees yep.
Wow, this is so much different from the US. At least 6 weeks notice is given, so people can schedule work around election day.
 
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AlexB23

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Though it's worth saying that in the UK at least, parliament can force early elections as well. Well, sort of.
What do you mean? Have early elections been invoked before, by the UK Parliament over the history of the country?
 
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Goonie

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What do you mean? Have early elections been invoked before, by the UK Parliament over the history of the country?
Essentially if a party cannot command a majority, and no other party is able to, then another election is inevitable.
 
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AlexB23

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Essentially if a party cannot command a majority, and no other party is able to, then another election is inevitable.
Interesting stuff, hmm, the UK system could work well in the US. What was the most recent time that this has happened in UK history?
 
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Occams Barber

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Wow, this is so much different from the US. At least 6 weeks notice is given, so people can schedule work around election day.
The six weeks notice is to allow time for organising the election. In Australia elections are always held on a Saturday to minimise interference with work.

OB
 
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AlexB23

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The six weeks notice is to allow time for organising the election. In Australia elections are always held on a Saturday to minimise interference with work.

OB
If only the US did this, and had Saturday elections as the Aussies do, though, I vote early by mail. :) Yeah, elections seem like a lot of work to organize, so 6 weeks seems to be plenty of time (1.5 months).
 
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Arcangl86

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What do you mean? Have early elections been invoked before, by the UK Parliament over the history of the country?
So here's what I meant by sort of. The House of Commons, so the lower house like our House of Reps, can show a lack of confidence in the PM. They do this by either passing a motion of no confidence or rejecting a money bill. If that happens the PM needs to either resign or call for new elections. Though I think the last time an election was called due to a failed confidence motion was 100 years ago, so it's not something that happens often. It's more likely to trigger a new Government though.

EDIT: My bad, there was an election called because of a failed confidence motion in the 70s.
Wow, this is so much different from the US. At least 6 weeks notice is given, so people can schedule work around election day.
The six weeks are for setting up the election and campaigning. Unlike the US, because elections are not as predictable, they don't have the same sort of perpetual campaign season we do.
 
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ThatRobGuy

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With 6 weeks notice Sunak gambles on a July 4th election. At almost 22 points behind labour in the polls he has taken his own party by surprise.
Do the Brits have a strong track record when it comes to taking big risks on the 4th of July?

American Wrestling GIF


Sorry... I couldn't resist :yum:
 
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AlexB23

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So here's what I meant by sort of. The House of Commons, so the lower house like our House of Reps, can show a lack of confidence in the PM. They do this by either passing a motion of no confidence or rejecting a money bill. If that happens the PM needs to either resign or call for new elections. Though I think the last time an election was called due to a failed confidence motion was 100 years ago, so it's not something that happens often. It's more likely to trigger a new Government though.

EDIT: My bad, there was an election called because of a failed confidence motion in the 70s.

The six weeks are for setting up the election and campaigning. Unlike the US, because elections are not as predictable, they don't have the same sort of perpetual campaign season we do.
Hmm, so this is a twice in a century event. Do you think 2024 may have a lack of confidence in the Prime Minister? And yes, Occam's Barber explained about the campaigning. I wish the US did not have a campaign season that lasts forever.
 
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Arcangl86

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Hmm, so this is a twice in a century event. Do you think 2024 may have a lack of confidence in the Prime Minister? And yes, Occam's Barber explained about the campaigning. I wish the US did not have a campaign season that lasts forever.
I mean at this point, a confidence motion is moot. It's possible he was facing one, but I'm not British so I'm not really tuned into the politics over there. But I do know that a lot of pundits over there seem to be shocked by this decision.
 
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AlexB23

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I mean at this point, a confidence motion is moot. It's possible he was facing one, but I'm not British so I'm not really tuned into the politics over there. But I do know that a lot of pundits over there seem to be shocked by this decision.
We will have to see what the next few months bring.
 
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Goonie

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Do the Brits have a strong track record when it comes to taking big risks on the 4th of July?

American Wrestling GIF


Sorry... I couldn't resist :yum:
Sunaks obviously looking for an independence day from his job.
 
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