Frequently Asked Questions: Elections

When was the last general election?
5 May 2005.

Glossary: General Election
Commons Library Research Paper: General Election 2005

How many general elections have there been since the Second World War?
17 in total.

Commons Library Factsheet: Parliamentary Elections: dates of general elections since 1945

Where can I find the results of previous general elections?

• Commons Library Research Paper: General Election 2001
• Commons Library Factsheet: General Election 1997
• Commons Library Factsheet: General Election 1992
• Commons Library Factsheet: General Election 1987
• Commons Library Factsheet: General Election 1983

When was the last time there were two general elections in one year?
1974. The first general election was held on Thursday 28 February, the second on Thursday 10 October.

Commons Library Factsheet: Parliamentary Elections: dates of general elections since 1945

When was the last by-election?
The by-election for the constituency of Glasgow North East took place on 12 November 2009.

Members and staff: By-elections since the 2005 general election
Commons Library Factsheet: Parliamentary Elections

Who decides to call a general election?
The decision to call a general election is made by the Prime Minister by asking the Queen to dissolve Parliament.

Glossary: Dissolution
Commons Library Factsheet: Parliamentary Elections

Do general elections have to be held on Thursdays?
No. The Prime Minister could choose any weekday for a general election. However, Thursday has become the traditional day for general elections.

The last general election not to be held on a Thursday was on Tuesday 27 October 1931.

What happens to the Government when a general election is called?
The Government continues in office until the results of the election are known. The new Prime Minister will announce his Cabinet soon after.

Glossary: General Election
Commons Library Factsheet: Parliamentary Elections

When were women given the vote?

• 1918 (women aged 30 and over)
• 1928 (women aged 21 and over)

Commons Library Factsheet: Parliamentary Elections
Commons Library Factsheet: A Brief Chronology of the House of Commons

When was the voting age reduced to 18?
1969 (for both men and women)

Commons Library Factsheet: Parliamentary Elections

Who cannot vote in a UK parliamentary election?

• young people under 18 years old
• foreign nationals (apart from citizens of the Irish Republic and Commonwealth countries resident in Britain)
• members of the House of Lords
• sentenced prisoners
• people convicted within the previous five years of illegal election practices

Electoral Commission factsheet: Who can vote? (external site)

Can the Queen vote?
The Queen can vote, but in practice it is considered unconstitutional for the Monarch to vote in an election.

What is the largest constituency?
Ross, Skye and Lochaber - measures approximately 12,000 square kilometres.

Glossary: Constituencies

What is the smallest constituency?
Islington North - measures 727 hectares.

Glossary: Constituencies

Which MP has the largest majority?
Rt Hon Tom Clarke MP - won the seat of Coatbridge, Chryston & Bellshill with a majority of 19,519.

Which MP has the smallest majority?
Laura Moffatt MP - won the seat of Crawley with a majority of 37.