UK General Election on 4th July: What we need to know

The UK General Election is set for 4th July. Here's what you need to know about voting and the election process.

What is the significance of a UK General Election?

The general election is held to select Members of Parliament (MPs) for the House of Commons, occurring within a five-year timeframe. The maximum period for a UK Parliament to be dissolved is five years from its initial meeting. The country is divided into 650 constituencies, each electing one MP to represent its residents. While most candidates are linked to political parties, some run as independents.

Voter eligibility and methods

If you are registered on the electoral roll and are 18 or older, you can vote by several methods:

Polling stations
Voting at a polling station is the most common method. Voters must present photo ID, such as a passport, driving license or a blue badge. Expired IDs are accepted if you still resemble the photo. If you forget your polling card, you are still able to vote. Find out where your polling station is.

Postal vote
If you prefer not to visit a polling station, you can apply for a postal vote. The deadline for postal vote applications is 5pm on 19th June. Postal votes can be submitted up to 5pm on polling day.

Proxy vote
If you are unable to vote in person, you can nominate someone else to vote on your behalf. Both you and your proxy must be registered voters. The application deadline for proxy votes is 5pm on 26th June, with emergency proxy votes available until 5pm on polling day under specific circumstances.

MPs and campaigning

As of 30th May, Parliament has been dissolved, meaning MPs have lost their official status and must campaign for re-election. Political parties have released their manifestos and campaigning is actively underway.

Post-election procedure: What happens next?

After the election, the King will invite the leader of the party with the most MPs to form a government and assume the role of Prime Minister. The leader of the second-largest party will become the Leader of the Opposition. In the case of no party securing a majority, a hung Parliament may occur, potentially leading to a coalition or minority government. The new Parliament will meet on 9th July, followed by the State Opening of Parliament and the King’s Speech on 17th July.¹  

Key dates and deadlines

• 19th June, 5pm: Deadline for postal vote applications
• 26th June, 5pm: Deadline for proxy vote applications
• 4th July: Election day, polling stations open from 7am to 10pm
• 9th July: New Parliament meets
• 17th July: Opening of Parliament and the King's Speech

Sources

1.    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62064552

All the information in this article is correct as of the date of publishing. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors Euxton Mortgage Market. The information provided in this article, including text, graphics and images does not, and is not intended to, substitute advice; instead, all information, content and materials available in this article are for general informational purposes only. Information in this article may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.

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June 2024