There's not a 'sniff' of PM going for an election in May, insists minister

A TORY minister has appeared to quash suggestions that Rishi Sunak is planning a surprise spring general election saying there was not a "sniff" of it happening.

- Martyn Brown

Speculation around polling day continues to swirl, with the Prime Minister already confirming there will be a vote this year.

Mr Sunak has also dropped several hints that it is likely to be in the autumn, with experts predicting a late October or early November election.

But the PM has not completely ruled out going to the polls before the summer.

Labour is planning for a spring election and some commentators have claimed Mr Sunak could call a vote to coincide with the local and mayoral elections on May 2.

With parliament needing to be dissolved 25 days beforehand, it means a May 2 election would have to be called by March 26- the last day the Commons sits before the Easter recess.

But Trade Minister Greg Hands insists that is not going to happen.

Asked on Times Radio yesterday whether there was "any sniff of there being a general election in May", he replied: "No."

Traction

However, Tory strategists are understood to be concerned by the rise in support for Reform UK.

What was formerly the Brexit Party is now consistently polling above 10% and taking the majority of its votes off the Conservatives in by-elections.