Will July 4 common election conflict along with your summer season plans?
When it comes to important national occasions, they don’t get any bigger than a general election.
But Rishi Sunak‘s chosen date of July 4 puts the poll slap bang in the middle of one of the busiest times of the year – with massive sports and music events all jostling for attention.
The most obvious clash is with Euro 2024, with England potentially playing in the quarter-finals the day after the election and two matches scheduled to take place on July 5.
Should the Three Lions reach the round of the last 16, the team could be playing up to two days before voters go to the polls – on July 2 – leaving many in a potentially sub-optimum state to cast their ballots.
Scotland will also be competing in Euro 2024 in Germany, although Wales failed to get through the qualifying stage.
The Wimbledon Tennis Championships will also be taking place from July 1-14 – with the singles, doubles and mixed doubles second rounds set for the date Britons go to the polls.
Epsom begins on Friday, May 31 before the Derby race itself on the Saturday – so horseracing fans will be well in the clear.
But the opening of the British Grand Prix on July 5 will be thrown into the shade by election day.
The event is the jewel in the crown of British Formula 1, and attracted a record 480,000 spectators to Silverstone last year.
The Henley Royal Regatta will be in full swing on July 4, having kicked off two days before.
And the general election will take place just one week before Jimmy Anderson’s bows out of international cricket in his final Test game for England.
Britons intending to travel to Paris to watch the Olympic Games will be unfazed thanks to the opening ceremony not being scheduled until July 26.
But June and July are also big months for music, with the calendar chock-a-block with gigs and festivals.
Live performances clashing with the election include The Killers at the O2 Arena and Megan Thee Stallion at Glasgow‘s OVO Hydro.
Attendees of Paloma Faith’s stadium show at the Utilita Arena in Cardiff and Morgan Wallen‘s biggest ever UK performance at Hyde Park may also have to tweak their plans in order to vote.
The most obvious election clash is with Euro 2024, with England potentially playing in the quarter-finals the day after the poll – and two matches scheduled to take place on July 5
The BST festival in Hyde Park – featuring the likes of Robbie Williams, Kylie and Kings of Leon – starts on July 5.
Fortunately for Swifties, Taylor Swift’s tour from June 7 to June 23 is well out of the way of polling day.
Glastonbury on June 26 to 30 is also out of the danger zone.
But comedy fans watching Labour supporter James Acaster at the 02 Forum in Kentish Town on July 4 may have to consider contingencies like a postal vote.
Many private schools break up on July 4 – which may mean some intend to start their holidays on that day.
For English state schools, the date falls three weeks prior to the beginning of the summer holidays, but in Scotland they break up at the end of June.
Schools in Wales will also still be in term time.
US expats will be out celebrating American Independence Day when Britain goes to the polls.
The election is due to take place during the first week of Wimbledon, known for its strawberries and cream
The American holiday commemorates the Declaration of Independence which was ratified on July 4, 1776.
There are some annual independence day events which will be taking place in London, including a ‘4th July Celebration’ at Redcliffe Square and a ‘4th of July Boat Party’ at Westminster Millennium Pier.
Normally, polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on polling day, with an acceptable form of ID now required to cast a vote.
But the Electoral Commission warns they can get busy before people start work and towards the end of the day – which could be a consideration for anyone attending events.
But you can vote by post or by proxy – if you have applied to do so before the deadline.
Americans based in the UK will be geared up to celebrate Independence Day on July 4
