Rishi Sunak has ruled out holding a general election on 2 May following speculation the prime minister could choose to go to the polls early.

Asked by ITV whether there would be an election on that date – the same as the local and mayoral elections – Mr Sunak replied: “There won’t be a general election on that day.

“But when there is a general election, what matters is the choice.”

As the Tories continue to lag behind Labour in the polls, there has been speculation as to when the prime minister will call the election – either in May, or later in the year.

The latest a general election can be held is by the end of January 2025.

Mr Sunak previously said it was his “working assumption” that an election would be held in the second half of this year but he had not previously ruled out May – until now.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

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