Purdah explained as Rishi Sunak announces gamble election

22 May 2024 , 17:41

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Rishi Sunak got drenched as he announced there will be an election on July 4 (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Dozens of Bills are set to collapse as Parliament will be prorogued on Friday, it has been announced.

Dissolution will take place on Thursday 30 May, one ahead of the General Election, which Rishi Sunak today confirmed will be held on July 4. The new Parliament will be summoned to meet on Tuesday 9 July, when the first business will be the election of the Speaker and the swearing-in of members.

It means the UK is entering the period of purdah, the term used to describe the period between the time an election is announced and the date the election is held. In this case, it is just shy of seven weeks. Civil servants are given official guidance by the Cabinet Office on the rules they must follow in relation to Government business during this time.

During this pre-election period, known as purdah, particular care around sensitivity is taken as government departments and councils will normally observe discretion about making new announcements or decisions that could influence voters.

But following Rishi Sunak’s surprise announcement in the rain outside Downing Street, Labour is 1/10 for a parliamentary majority in what is shaping up to be a resounding return to power for Keir Starmer’s party.

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The Conservative Party is conversely priced at 9/1 to snatch victory in six weeks’ time and 33/1 to replicate its majority win in 2019. The General Election is a chance to change the country for the better and end Tory chaos, Keir Starmer said.

In a speech following Mr Sunak's announcement, the Labour leader said: "Tonight, the Prime Minister has finally announced the next General Election, a moment the country needs and has been waiting for and where, by the force of our democracy, power returns to you.

"A chance to change for the better your future, your community, your country. It will feel like a long campaign, I am sure of that, but no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about." He went on: "Together we can stop the chaos, we can turn the page, we can start to rebuild Britain".

Bradley Jolly