|
|
|
|
After an afternoon of feverish speculation, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak finally confirmed yesterday that an election will be held on 4 July – just six weeks from now.
Labour has been leading in the polls for many months at this point but I’m reminded that most of the elections in recent history have thrown some curveballs – some of them very curved indeed. Theresa May, most memorably, started the 2017 campaign with a massive poll lead, and then ended up losing her majority. All of this is to say, buckle up, because this is not a done deal. Sunak’s party appears out of puff, but Keir Starmer’s still has a mountain to climb too. Matthew Flinders warns that the biggest danger ahead for Labour is its own complacency. A poll lead means very little if people don’t actually turn out on the day.
And here, Christopher Kirkland answers the key questions about what happens next and why a summer election makes sense for Sunak.
The Conversation’s network of academics has been preparing for this moment for some time. You can expect to find expert analysis every day of this campaign on our site and in our newsletters, all aimed at equipping you with the facts ahead of the big day.
Elsewhere on site, the astronomers looking for potential alien megastructures and our experts assess run streaks and whether it’s safe to run every day.
|
|
Laura Hood
Senior Politics Editor, Assistant Editor
|
|
Matthew Flinders, University of Sheffield
The prime minister hardly sounded committed to the election he was calling, but Labour still has to win hearts and minds.
|
Christopher Kirkland, York St John University
The day is set for 4 July, leaving just six weeks for the campaign.
|
Simon Goodwin, University of Sheffield
An excess of infrared light from seven stars are intriguing astronomers.
|
Jonathan Melville, Anglia Ruskin University; Matthew Slater, Anglia Ruskin University
The trend for running every day for as many days as possible has become popular on social media. Our experts assess the risks associated with ‘run streaks’
|
Politics + Society
|
-
Anne-Maree Farrell, The University of Edinburgh
A lawyer who has helped many victims fight for compensation reviews the government’s plan.
-
Melanie Griffiths, University of Birmingham
Infestations, overcrowding and suicide attempts have all been found at asylum accommodation sites run by private companies.
|
|
Business + Economy
|
-
Amr Saber Algarhi, Sheffield Hallam University; Konstantinos Lagos, Sheffield Hallam University
UK inflation fell to 2.3% in the year to April – but it doesn’t necessarily mean the squeeze on household finances is to end.
-
Andrew Urquhart, University of Reading; Lambis Dionysopoulos, University of Reading
If FTX reimburses investors who lost their assets when the crypto exchange collapsed, it may offer the chance of a new start for the sector.
|
|
World
|
-
Colin John Irwin, University of Liverpool
The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is opposed to a two-state solution, but many ordinary Israelis and Palestinians don’t feel the same way.
-
Simon Mabon, Lancaster University
Middle East expert, Simon Mabon, answers our questions about what this key development might mean for the prospects of peace in the region.
-
Avidan Kent, University of East Anglia; Kirsten McConnachie, University of East Anglia; Rishi Gulati, University of East Anglia
Both the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice have become embroiled in the Gaza conflict. But the two courts are distinctly different, which has caused some confusion.
|
|
Health
|
-
Trish Greenhalgh, University of Oxford; C Raina MacIntyre, UNSW Sydney; David Fisman, University of Toronto
A previous review suggested that masks don’t work. We can assure you – they do.
|
|
Arts + Culture
|
-
Paige Davis, University of Leeds
Imaginary companions are a normal and joyful part of childhood.
-
Edward Sugden, King's College London
A richly wrought tale of love found at the fag end of a republic wins the 2024 International Booker.
-
Mark Dennis, Nottingham Trent University
A new exhibition draws together two seemingly disparate but risqué artists who actually complement each other very well. And it’s not (just) because they both liked bums.
|
|
Environment
|
-
Jack Marley, The Conversation
How diseases will change as Earth overheats.
-
Andrea Sartorius, University of Nottingham
New research shows how old lead mines are polluting the environment and surrounding wildlife and farmland with legacy contaminants.
-
Yuan Pan, University of Reading
Using a revolving stage and moving doors, the play perfectly captures a sense of awe and fantasy in this tale about environmental responsibility and the dangers of overconsumption.
-
Joseph Earl, Lancaster University; Suzana Ilic, Lancaster University
People taking pebbles from some beaches in Cumbria, England, will now face fines of up to £1,000.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
