When is the UK general election and who can vote?

The latest a Parliament can be dissolved for a general election is on the fifth anniversary of the day it first met.

For the Parliament which has just been dissolved, that date was 17 December 2024.

However, 25 working days are then allowed to prepare for the election.

So the next election had to be held by 28 January 2025.

The prime minister can call the election at a time of their choosing, within the five-year period.

Mr Sunak became prime minister on 25 October 2022 when he succeeded Liz Truss, who took over from Boris Johnson.