Overview
- Planning is under way to end the current parliamentary session the week after the 7 May votes, with the King’s Speech pencilled for 12–13 May 2026.
- A government source told the BBC the timing would make it harder to mount a leadership challenge, while No 10 disputes that this is the primary motive and notes past May speeches.
- Labour figures expect a difficult election night based on polling that puts Reform UK ahead nationally and signals threats from the Greens in England and Plaid Cymru in Wales, with the SNP favored to hold power in Scotland.
- Extending the session into May preserves time for sensitive legislation such as the assisted dying bill, and the next agenda is expected to feature Lords reform, AI and copyright, immigration changes, and potential electoral measures.
- On the same day, ministers published a delayed strategy on violence against women and girls as the incoming victims’ commissioner warned the plan risks failing without clear, sustained funding and delivery capacity.