British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gets a little damp outside No. 10 Downing Street in London after calling for a July 4 general election. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Image, Getty Images)
- The UK will hold a general election on July 4, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced on Wednesday.
- Speculation has been swirling about the date, with Mr Sunak's Conservative Party trailing far behind in the opinion polls.
- Labor says it is ready.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a national election on Wednesday, designating July 4 as the day the Conservative Party, in power for 14 years, is widely expected to be defeated by the opposition Labor Party.
After months of speculation about when a new poll would be held, Mr Sunak, 44, stood outside his Downing Street office and announced the election would be called sooner than some had expected – a risky strategy with his own party trailing in opinion polls.
“Now is the time for Britain to choose its future,” he said, listing what he considered the highlights of his time in government, including the introduction of the so-called furlough scheme that has supported businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic. “There will be a general election on the Fourth of July.”
As well as lagging far behind Labor in the polls, Mr Sunak is also somewhat isolated from some within the party, relying on a small team of advisers to navigate what is likely to be an ugly campaign. is increasing.
But with some economic gains, including falling inflation and the economy growing at its fastest pace in nearly three years, now is the time to take the risk and formally present the policies of a new term to voters. It seems like he decided it was time.
The former investment banker and finance minister has been in office for less than two years, but since then he has struggled to define what he stands for and has struggled to define what he considers a success. They are frustrated that they are not being evaluated.
Both parties have already firmly drawn their lines of attack on the economy and defense, and have almost started their election campaigns.
Mr Sunak and his government are prepared to raise taxes if Labor comes to power, accusing the party of a lack of planning that will prevent Britain from being a safe ally in an increasingly dangerous world. The opposition parties deny this.
Labor blames the government for 14 years of economic mismanagement that has left people worse off, with a series of chaotic governments failing to give businesses the stability they desperately need to boost economic growth.
If Labor wins the election, Britain, once known for its political stability, will have had six prime ministers in eight years for the first time since the 1830s.
“Ready”
Before the announcement, Labour said it was more than prepared for the election.
“If the Prime Minister calls an election, we're ready to go. The campaign is fully organized and ready to run. I think the country is desperate for a general election,” Labor leader Starmer said in a report. the official told reporters.
Mr Starmer launched his party's election campaign last week by pledging to “rebuild Britain”, marking the first steps Labor would take if it forms the next government.
Opinion polls show Labor holding a lead of around 20 points over Mr Sunak's Conservatives, but some party insiders fear that many voters are still undecided and that Labour's lead is not as firm as it appears. I am concerned that there is no such thing.
Mr Sunak may be looking to exploit the uncertainty to give Labor an unfair advantage, which has not yet selected all its parliamentary candidates, party veterans said.
Mr Sunak is also hopeful that some economic benefits and the first flights of a high-profile migration plan to send illegal asylum seekers to Rwanda could boost the party's fortunes. The earliest possible date for these flights is his June 24th, 10 days before the election.
While some Conservatives welcomed the move to hold an election, not everyone was happy.
“I hope to die in 2024,” said one Conservative MP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
