Rishi Sunak takes gamble by calling general election for 4 July

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: The Guardian

Rishi Sunak has called a surprise early election for 4 July in a contest that will see Keir Starmer try to take power for Labour after 14 years of Conservative-led government.

The prime minister announced the election would be in the early summer in a high-risk move for the Conservative party as it trails 20 points behind Labour in the polls.

Sunak finally decided to name the date after claiming inflation was back under control and the economy was improving.

“I hope that my work since I became prime minister shows that we have a plan and are prepared to take bold action necessary for our country to flourish,” he said.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/may/22/rishi-sunak-will-call-general-election-for-july-in-surprise-move-sources

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This makes some sense - inflation fell today (as everyone knew it would - the government-set (based on wholesale international prices) gas and electricity prices dropped last month). So that's the closest the Tories would get to "good news" to run on, without something unforeseen.

BBC live:

Rishi Sunak begins by saying the last five years have seen the country fight through the most challenging times since World War II.

The PM says the country has fought through those challenges and it made him proud to be British.

He mentions the furlough scheme and says millions rose to the moment when the pandemic hit.
...
Rishi Sunak confirms the general election will be held on 4 July.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-69042935

[IronLionZion]

1. Campaign seasons are pretty quick in most of the world

while the US does it over years. We play the long game here. Maybe going back to old days when candidates rode horses to go meet the voters or something like that.

[wolfie001]

2. Far right politics aided by Murdoch has impoverished many Britons

Instilling hate on various peoples has been a winning strategy for them. Should be very interesting.

[prodigitalson]

3. yeah, that's usually a good date for british governments