UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to “fight for every vote” as he announced an early UK general election set for Thursday, July 4.
During a speech drenched by rain outside 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister declared his intention to secure a fifth term for the Conservative Party.
This unexpected decision upends the previously anticipated autumn election, potentially disadvantaging the Conservatives in narrowing the Labour Party’s lead.
Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, responded by advocating for a shift from “Tory chaos,” declaring it “time for change.”
With significant leads in national polls, the Labour Party asserts it is well-prepared with a robust campaign ready for immediate deployment.
Parliament will be suspended this Friday and will officially dissolve next Thursday, setting the stage for a five-week election campaign.
This tight schedule allows only two days for passing any pending legislation, forcing the abandonment of some government initiatives.
While many speculated an election might occur in October or November, early Wednesday rumors indicated a sooner date after reports showed a significant drop in annual inflation.
Amid ongoing ambiguity at Prime Minister’s Questions, it wasn’t until just past 5:00 PM BST that a July election—the first since 1945—was confirmed.
Linking the announcement to recent economic indicators, Sunak portrayed the election date as a testament to economic recovery following a period of high living costs.
He cited recent improvements in inflation and the UK’s early exit from recession as evidence of his effective policies.
However, his announcement faced challenges from persistent rain and disruptions by activists playing the New Labour anthem over loudspeakers.
The decision to hold an early election confused and frustrated parts of the Conservative Party.
“I just don’t understand it,” one Tory MP told the reporters. “The economy is improving. Why not give that more time to bed in?”
“If the whole point was to remind the public that he was Mr. Furlough, why not do the speech inside from the same briefing room?”
They added, “Labour MPs are happy. We’re not. That tells a story.”
In a televised response, Sir Keir criticized the Conservatives’ handling of the economy, public services, the NHS, and crime rates, suggesting continued Tory governance would exacerbate these issues.
He emphasized the need for change and proposed a vote for the Labour Party as a step toward political stability, concluding that “Britain deserves better than that.”
