Bookmakers slashed the odds of a May general election after growing speculation the Prime Minister is considering a snap poll.
Downing Street insiders pointed out the Prime Minister has “repeatedly” said his “working assumption” is the vote will be held in the second half of the year.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Link Sponsored Link
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Sweet Penny Stocks
Everybody Wanted To Date Her In The 80's & This Is Her RecentlySweet Penny Stocks
Undo
But they declined to categorically dismiss a snap poll being called to coincide spring local elections.
A No 10 source said: “I will never rule in or out anything on a general election.”
Mr Sunak held private talks with Sir Graham Brady, the powerful chairman of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenches, on Monday night.
Sponsored
Largest Athletes in Sports History
Largest Athletes in Sports History Read More
Colossal Women in Sports: The Biggest Female Athletes Worldwide!
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Stay up-to-date with the latest Politics news Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Odds slashed on May general election (Image: Getty)
The meeting was described as routine by No 10 but it sparked fresh discussions among MPs that the Prime Minister could go early after a difficult few weeks.
Bookmaker Coral said it has slashed the odds for a May election from 5-1 to 3-1 after a flurry of bets.
A core group of Tories want the Prime Minister to call the election soon amid fears poor polling will get worse.
But many fear that the party is not ready to go to voters yet and want time for tax cuts worth around ￡900 for an average worker to kick in.
Mr Sunak would have to call the election next week if he wants it to coincide with council and mayoral elections on May 2.
Under electoral law, Parliament has to be dissolved 25 working days before a general election is held.
That means no later than March 26, but parliament needs at least a few days’ notice to allow any remaining non-controversial pieces of legislation to be approved.
Mr Sunak is expecting his Rwanda deportation bill to clear its final parliamentary stages early next week.
More than 2,500 council seats are up for grabs across 107 local authorities in England on May 2.
Some of the most high-profile politicians in the country are also seeking another term as mayor, including Labour’s Sadiq Khan in London and the Conservatives’ Andy Street in the West Midlands.
Voters in Wales will also go to the polls on May 2 to choose new police commissioners.
It is not unprecedented for a general election to take place on the same day as local elections – it happened most recently in May 2015.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Speaker sparks new crisis of confidence after refusing to give Diane Abbott PMQs question
Comments
POLL: Should Boris Johnson help Tories campaign at next general election? Vote here
Comments
The rise of Portugal's Reform UK makes a mockery of our democracy
Comments
Letter demanding Rishi Sunak's resignation signed by 5,000 Tory supporters in 24 hours
Comments
Humiliation for Ursula von der Leyen as EU leader facing court after bombshell secret vote
Comments
'This is huge': Nigel Farage breaks silence over Lee Anderson's bombshell defection
Comments
Nigel Farage tipped for stunning political comeback - in staunch pro-Brexit constituency
Comments
Lee Anderson's blunt three-word slapdown after Beth Rigby brands him an 'attention seeker'
Comments
Major clue pinpoints exact date for general election but there could be a shock in store
Comments
Angry farmers warn Rishi Sunak they will desert Tories at election if rural voters ignored
Comments
Rishi Sunak and India's Narendra Modi hail progress on historic post-Brexit trade deal
Comments
Lee Anderson joins Reform UK in move which leaves 'serious questions' about Rishi Sunak
Comments
Sir Jacob-Rees Mogg says Reform UK could cost Tories the election after Anderson defection
Comments
Rishi Sunak skewers Keir Starmer for hypocrisy at PMQs after Angela Rayner's 'scum' rant
Comments
'I'm a parliamentary expert and the Speaker did not silence Diane Abbott'
Comments
George Galloway threatens to stand against Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester mayoral race
Comments
Dutch anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders abandon PM bid but pledges people 'will be heard'
Comments
Boris Johnson is electoral adrenalin shot that would jolt a dreary election into life
Comments
Rishi Sunak sensationally rules out early May election, killing days of speculation
Comments
Nigel Farage sets out three crucial reasons why Boris Johnson won't make election comeback
Comments
Speaker sparks new crisis of confidence after refusing to give Diane Abbott PMQs question
Comments
POLL: Should Boris Johnson help Tories campaign at next general election? Vote here
Comments
The rise of Portugal's Reform UK makes a mockery of our democracy
Comments
Letter demanding Rishi Sunak's resignation signed by 5,000 Tory supporters in 24 hours
Comments
Humiliation for Ursula von der Leyen as EU leader facing court after bombshell secret vote
Comments
'This is huge': Nigel Farage breaks silence over Lee Anderson's bombshell defection
Comments
Nigel Farage tipped for stunning political comeback - in staunch pro-Brexit constituency
Comments
Lee Anderson's blunt three-word slapdown after Beth Rigby brands him an 'attention seeker'
Comments
Major clue pinpoints exact date for general election but there could be a shock in store
Comments
Angry farmers warn Rishi Sunak they will desert Tories at election if rural voters ignored
Comments
Rishi Sunak and India's Narendra Modi hail progress on historic post-Brexit trade deal
Comments
Lee Anderson joins Reform UK in move which leaves 'serious questions' about Rishi Sunak
Comments
Sir Jacob-Rees Mogg says Reform UK could cost Tories the election after Anderson defection
Comments
Rishi Sunak skewers Keir Starmer for hypocrisy at PMQs after Angela Rayner's 'scum' rant
Comments
'I'm a parliamentary expert and the Speaker did not silence Diane Abbott'
Comments
George Galloway threatens to stand against Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester mayoral race
Comments
Dutch anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders abandon PM bid but pledges people 'will be heard'
Comments
Boris Johnson is electoral adrenalin shot that would jolt a dreary election into life
Comments
Rishi Sunak sensationally rules out early May election, killing days of speculation
Comments
Nigel Farage sets out three crucial reasons why Boris Johnson won't make election comeback
Comments
Speaker sparks new crisis of confidence after refusing to give Diane Abbott PMQs question
Comments
POLL: Should Boris Johnson help Tories campaign at next general election? Vote here
Comments
The rise of Portugal's Reform UK makes a mockery of our democracy
Comments
Letter demanding Rishi Sunak's resignation signed by 5,000 Tory supporters in 24 hours
Comments
Humiliation for Ursula von der Leyen as EU leader facing court after bombshell secret vote
Comments
'This is huge': Nigel Farage breaks silence over Lee Anderson's bombshell defection
Comments
Nigel Farage tipped for stunning political comeback - in staunch pro-Brexit constituency
Comments
The latest possible date, by law, for the dissolution of the current Parliament is December 17 2024 – exactly five years since Parliament first met, on December 17 2019.
It would mean polling day would have to take place by late January.
Trending
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info