News24 | Rishi Sunak declares UK general election to be held on July 4 despite poor outlook

A slightly damp British Chancellor Rishi Sunak stands outside 10 Downing Street in London after announcing a general election will be held on July 4. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images)

• Britain will hold a general election on July 4, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced on Wednesday.
• Speculation has swirled about the date, with Mr Sunak’s Conservative Party trailing far behind in opinion polls.
• Labor says it is ready.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election on Wednesday, setting July 4 as voting day. The ruling Conservative Party, which has been 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.”

Not only is Mr Sunak lagging far behind Labor in the polls, he is also isolated from within his own party and increasingly reliant on a small group of advisers to help him navigate an ugly campaign. There is.

But given some economic gains, including lower inflation and the economy growing at its fastest pace in nearly three years, he says now is the time to take a risk and formally lay out his agenda for a new term to voters. It seems that he has decided that.

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 becoming increasingly dissatisfied with not being appreciated.

Both parties have already firmly drawn their attack lines on the economy and defense and have almost kicked off their election campaigns.

Mr Sunak and his government have accused Labor of being prepared to raise taxes if they come to power and that the lack of a plan means Britain is not in safe hands in an increasingly dangerous world, a charge denied by the opposition. are doing.

Labour accuses the government of mismanaging the economy over 14 years, leaving people worse off and a succession of chaotic administrations failing to provide the stability businesses desperately need to spur 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”

Labor had said before the announcement that it was fully 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.

Starmer launched his party’s election campaign last week with a pledge to “rebuild Britain”, setting out the first steps Labour would take if it forms the next government.

Opinion polls show Labour leading Mr Sunak’s Conservatives by around 20 percentage points, but some party leaders worry that many voters remain undecided and that Labour’s lead is not as solid as it seems.

Labour veterans said Sunak may be trying to exploit the uncertainty to mislead a party that has not yet selected all its parliamentary candidates.

Mr Sunak is also hopeful that economic gains and the first flight of a flagship immigration plan to repatriate illegal asylum seekers to Rwanda could boost his party’s fortunes. The earliest date for a flight is June 24, 10 days before the election.

Some Conservative members welcomed the move to call an election, but not everyone was happy.

“I hope for death in 2024,” said one Conservative MP, speaking on condition of anonymity.