Rishi Sunak Announces Surprise UK General Elections

Rishi Sunak vowed to “fight for every vote” as he called for an early UK general election

Rishi Sunak has called a surprise general election for 4 July, it is a huge gamble that will see Keir Starmer try to win power for labor after 14 years of Conservative- led government. It will be a six week election campaign with party trailing labor with more than 20 points in opinion polls. 

Most expected Rishi Sunak to wait until October or November for the economic conditions to improve and interest rates to fall. Nonetheless, it could give the party more time to mount a comeback. 

Rishi Sunak vowed to “fight for every vote” as he called for an early UK general election. 

In his speech he portrayed a sense of trust to the people of Britain. He gave a sense of how he plans to fight the election and whom the country should trust in difficult times and a warning that Stramer’s promises cannot be believed. 

The PM announced the elections in soaking rain in a speech outside 10 Downing Street, as he bids  to win a fifth term in office for the Conservatives. Sunak said it was “the moment for Britain to choose its future” as he claimed the Tories could be trusted to lead the country during a time of global instability. This surprise move might have altered the expectation of an autumn poll, which could have possibly given the Tories a better chance to get closer to the labours.  

“Only a Conservative government led by me will not put our hard-earned economic stability at risk,” he said, casting himself as the best person to protect Britain in perilous times.

On this note, Sir Keir Stramer said that it was time for a change away from the Tory chaos. 

After the announcement he made a statement on TV stating that tory has damaged the economy, and a voting his party could be a chance to bring political stability. 

The UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said that he consulted with King Charles and arrived at a conclusion to suspend the parliament on Friday until its formally dissolved on May 30 ahead of an official five week election campaign. This leaves them with two days to pass any outstanding legislation, a move which will mean some of the government’s measures will have to be abandoned. 

The annual inflation had fallen to its lowest level in the past three years. The PM mentioned the inflation figures and hopes to frame a campaign towards an economic recovery after a period of rising living costs. 

According to Tory officials, Sunak and Hunt decided there would be no room for tax cuts later in the year, which is why they decided to seek an election in July. Now, Sunak’s team is sceptical that the Bank of England would lower interest rates soon enough to have a big impact on voters’ financial situation. Markets predict a little increase in inflation. Markets expect inflation to edge up.

Although the party is already on the move and in full swing. Sunak concluded with the chancellor Jeremy Hunt before making these decisions, said the party officials. They thought there was no use waiting until October in the hopes that better economic news would materialize.

Rishi Sunak’s announcement was a surprise, not just for the whole of Britain but also for the seniors of the Tories. They are concerned that their party which is trailing 20% points behind Labour in the polls, could face electoral wipeout. Some MPs are considering submitting letters of no confidence. 

After 1945 elections where Labour leader, Clement Attlee won a majority of 145, this will be the first July election since. The campaign will go on during the Euro 2024 football tournament, with the polling day falling just before the quarter finals. 

Allowing just two “wash-up” days, Rishi Sunak plans on banning smoking and his flagship renters and leaseholders bills are likely to be dropped.