Rishi Sunak has been accused of “running scared” after he finally ruled out a genera election on May 2.
The prime minister told ITV West Country that voters across the UK will not have to go to the polls “on that day”.
It brings to an end months of speculation and means the election is almost certain to take place in the autumn.
Senior Labour figures, and many Tories, wanted the general election to coincide with the local council polls in England and Wales on May 2.
But Sunak said: “In seven weeks’ time we have local elections, including in Gloucester where I was talking to them today. We have police and crime commissioner elections, we have mayoral elections.
“I’m squarely focused on those because they’re important and there’s not going to be a general election on that day.”
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said: “It looks like we have confirmation of Sunak running scared of an election in May.
“He knows that voters will not put up with this Conservative government’s failures on the NHS and the cost of living crisis any longer.
“That is why lifelong Conservative voters have switched to the Liberal Democrats in their droves and will vote for a hardworking local champion, rather than another Conservative MP who will take them for granted once again.”
Pat McFadden, Labour’s national campaign co-ordinator, said: “After 14 years of Tory failure, the British public have the right to expect an election to be called by 26 March and held on May 2.
“Until the day to call it has passed, we are prepared for the election to take place on the usual day in the election cycle.
“Rishi Sunak should stop squatting in Downing Street and give the country what it desperately needs – a chance for change with a Labour government. The rime minister needs to finally come clean with the public and name the date of the election now.”
Sunak’s announcement means the election is likely to take place in either October or November, although he could go all the way to January next year.