[Milkshake]

Isn’t this suggestion that general elections are usually fixed dates that can be planned months in advance being overplayed?

Weren’t both the last two general elections called out of step with the the fixed term act, in those cases there wasn’t even an expectation there would be one at all

Even in December 1986, there was talk of June 1987 election. You can kind of tell where the winds are blowing on the direction of the timeline for next UK election. You had to go back to 1974 to get an election out side the April/May/June. In February 1996 the BBC did hold a rehearsal for an election, for the Spring 96 just in case. Even when Torys lost its common maj in Dec 96 Why didn't labour just go for a vote of No confidence, because they know one was come for May plus who wants to vote in middle of winter?

If your sitting in BBC, ITN, SKY newsrooms you have good idea were elections will fall, this year its shambles. alot of Studios and crews are needed and if you don't have a clue whats coming you can't really plan. TV is alot busier in the autumn.

In 2017 it was a surprised it was the only one that was unexpected. 2019 on the other hand It was half expected when they started poking lib dems and snp to say don't you want one, and nothing was moving forward.

We are now in a unique and strange situation where clock is ticking but were not heading for summer where heading for the dead of winter, which is very unusual. On top of that we have a clueless PM, - yes I can say that because he doesn't know when to go for it, Every other PM know of a date he/she wants to go for, right now even he doesn't know. He's like an old Married couple buying a brand new car and every single time they visit the showroom, they look at each other and can't decide what to do.

It was reported even on here, he was looking at May Election and then at the last min said no. He's now looking at June Election and this will go down to the wire again by the second week of May, He'll either go for it or say no. So now were be going for the emotions:

* 1st week in Sept ie for 17th Oct ( they wont touch 10th as that the 50th Anniversary of Labour win)
* Day of the his speech on Tory Conference for the 14th November but there been told don't do it around this, because of US election and media will get muddy.
* Early Nov for 19th Dec, I think if we get to that point he will just hold out and go for 23rd January 2025;

I wouldn't rule out him calling an election mid Aug for Late September, that would mean Parliament would be out of action for 3months.