How to Win an Election - A date for your calendar. The next UK general election must take place no later Tuesday 28th January 2025. But with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives trailing to Keir Starmer and Labour in the polls, when exactly will the election be?
This topic is the starting point in this illuminating new podcast featuring three political heavyweights: Peter Mandelson (who was at the heart of New Labour), Daniel Finklestein (former Conservative political advisor) and Polly Mackenzie (who wrote the Rose Garden Nick Clegg Lib Dem speech at the start of the coalition.) They are quizzed by Times Radio broadcaster Matt Chorley.
Mandelson believes that next May is a likely outcome, because “the longer it goes, the worse it gets” for Rishi Sunak. Finkelstein believes Sunak should call the election in May, but it will end up taking place in October. And Mackenzie believes that it will be “dragged out until the last possible moment.”
