There will not be an early general election – and here’s why | Martin Kettle

The chatter in Westminster and the media is of an election in autumn or spring. It is all so much hot air

With Theresa May donning her walking boots and heading for Switzerland, we have reached the breathing space that British politics has craved ever since the EU referendum. But we should enjoy it while we can, because it will be short. As soon as May returns from the Alps, speculation about an early general election, already widespread, will accelerate.

This chatter will be irrepressible. But in my opinion it will all be wasted energy. It is absolutely not May’s style to be looking for an early general election so soon after taking office. Her instincts, on this as on other matters of governance, are impeccably traditional. She believes the Conservative party won a mandate in May 2015, which she has inherited from David Cameron. She is personally untroubled by tabloid talk of needing to win her own mandate. Purists will say she is absolutely right about that.

Related: Theresa May launches Tory leadership bid with pledge to unite country

Voters know when an election is appropriate. Harold Wilson and Ted Heath both fell foul of that instinct

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