Will Boris Johnson Call an Early General Election?

As former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is neither currently Prime Minister nor an active Member of Parliament, the idea of him calling for an early general election is purely speculative. This article explores the current political landscape in light of several key points:

Post-Brexit Reality

Point One - We Have Left the European Union: The United Kingdom has officially left the European Union (EU), marking a significant shift in governance and domestic affairs. This Brexit has had varying effects on living standards, with post-Brexit impacts likely differing according to individual income levels.

Political Implications of Brexit

Point Two - Effects on Living Standards: The effects of leaving the EU on living standards are not uniform. For instance, individuals who frequently travel to continental Europe for work, leisure, or residing near the Channel Tunnel might experience different outcomes compared to the general population. These divergent outcomes could exacerbate societal and economic disparities.

Point Three - Labour Party Support for Brexit: Despite not officially endorsing Brexit, many of the Labour Party's traditional supporters did. This stance likely contributed to a significant loss of support among Labour's traditional base, leading to substantial electoral setbacks in traditionally Labour-held areas.

Political Landscape and Party Performance

Point Four - Opposition to the Conservatives: Presently, the Conservative Party appears to be the strongest force in the House of Commons, with minimal real opposition from other parties. Taking into account the Scottish National Party (SNP) vote, the Labour Party's decline seems nearly terminal. This trend of declining support is reminiscent of the Liberal Democrats, who experienced a steep drop in their number of MPs from 2005 to 2019.

Point Five - Historical Shifts: From 62 Liberal Democrat MPs in 2005 to only 8 in 2015, the party's performance illustrates that once a decline in support begins, it can quickly become irreversible. A similar trajectory is observed with the Labour Party, whose 2019 election performance saw them win just 202 seats, their lowest number since 1935.

The Current Political Climate

Point Six - No Imminent Election: Given the current political climate and the historical backdrop of declining party performance, there is no substantial indication that an early general election is on the horizon. From 2017 onwards, the Labour Party has seen a marked decrease in its electoral performance, while the Green Party remains a minor force, and Scotland and Wales have their own independent parliaments.

Based on these points, the likelihood of Boris Johnson calling an early general election is minimal. Boris Johnson has served approximately two years of a five-year term, and public sentiment indicates that the country is not eager for an early election.