General election
What happens before and during a general election.
Latest analysis
Preparing for Power podcast series
This six-part series takes you behind the scenes to find out how our politicians, their advisers and officials get ready for being in government.
Rishi Sunak’s five pledges: one year on
How much progress has the prime minister made towards meeting his five pledges?
Conservative and Labour party selection of UK parliamentary candidates
How do the Conservatives and Labour choose who will stand for them in elections?
Sunak, Starmer and the IfG agree: we need change at the general election
A return to stability would mean a transformational change to the way government works.
Mystery date: when is the right time to call a general election?
Inside Briefing brings together three veterans of elections to look back on their experiences and discuss what might happen next.
When will the next UK general election be?
The prime minister can call the next general election any time between now and 17 December 2024.
Read our explainer
Key explainers
Calling a general election
Elections have to be held no more than five years apart, but the timing of elections can otherwise be determined by the prime minister.
Dissolution of parliament
Dissolution is the formal term for the end of a parliament. It occurs ahead of a general election for a new parliament.
2023 boundary changes
What is happening to constituency boundaries, and why? How are they changing? How are MPs affected?
How political parties prepare for government
Alongside campaigning for office, political parties also undertake other preparation for what they will do if they win an election and get into power.
How the civil service prepares for a general election
This explainer considers the preparation the civil service undertakes during an election period.
Official opposition
As the second largest party in the House of Commons, the Labour Party is the current official opposition.
Restrictions on government activity during an election campaign
During an election campaign, there are restrictions in place on what the government can do – both in initiating policy and in use of official resource
General election: what change do we need?
Lord Mandelson, Lord Willetts, Kate McCann and Kelly Beaver joined us to discuss what change the country needs and wants.
Watch the event
Events
General election: What makes a successful communications strategy?
Anushka Asthana, Lee Cain, James Schneider and Katy Searle join us to discuss general election communications strategies.
General election: How can the parties improve ethical standards in government?
Polling shows the public care about ethical behaviour in politics. How can the main parties show they are committed to high ethical standards?
General election: What role does polling play in shaping political strategy?
At this joint IfG and UKICE event, we explored the role of polling in the run up to a general election.
General election: How big a threat is AI and disinformation to elections in 2024?
At this event we explored the impact that artificial intelligence will have on the next UK general election - and elections around the world.
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