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Rishi Sunak has called a snap election on 4 July following months of speculation about when the country would go to the polls.
The prime minister addressed the nation in the pouring rain, as he battled against the deafening sound of ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ playing in the background- the 90s hit which famously played during Tony Blair’s successful Labour campaign.
In a drenched suit, he spoke of how the King granted his request to dissolve Parliament, he announced, as he promised to “fight for every vote” over the next few weeks.
In a sign that security and the economy will be key battlegrounds, Mr Sunak said: “This election will take place at time when the world is more dangerous than it has been since the end of the Cold War.”
The “uncertain times” call for a “clear plan”, he added.
Mr Sunak’s announcement came after the Office for National Statistics said Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation slowed to 2.3 per cent in April, down from 3.2 per cent in March.
He said that was a “major milestone” for the country, with inflation now “back to normal” levels.
Breaking: Rishi Sunak announces general election for July 4
The prime minister has finally shut all rumours and pressed the snap election button.
Addressing Brits from Downing Street, he said the ballots will be out on July 4 making it a summer election.
During a cabinet meeting Mr Sunak told senior ministers Parliament will be dissolved next week to give way to the electoral campaign.
MPs will knock on doors selling their pledges for up to six weeks. The last time the UK had a July election was in 1945.
It comes as the Tory leader declared inflation was “back to normal” in a “major milestone” for the country, following official figures showing inflation slowed to 2.3% in April.
Speculation about an announcement mounted in Westminster as Cabinet ministers were summoned for an unusually timed meeting, with Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron cutting short foreign trips to attend.
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July General Election timeline
- Parliament will be prorogued on Friday 24 May
- Dissolution will take place on Thursday 30 May
- General Election will take place on Thursday 4 July
- New Parliament will be summoned to meet on Tuesday 9 July, when the first business will be the election of the Speaker and the swearing-in of members
- State Opening Wednesday 17 July
‘Drowned and out’ PM
Baroness Sayeeda Warsi commented on Rishi Sunak’s look of the day.
General election 2024: Why Rishi Sunak chose July 4
Rishi Sunak has announced that 4 July is the general election date but why did he settle for that date?
The practical reason for his decision comes with election law and the parliamentary timetable. Parliament needs to be dissolved 25 working days before the date of an election which means that if he wanted a summer election he had limited options.
By calling an election on 4 July, next week’s planned recess will be cancelled giving parliament a “wash up week” to complete its remaining business by Thursday. Parliament can then be dissolved in time for a July 4 election. This meant the prime minister could not have called it any earlier.
Jess Phillips on Sunak soaking in the rain
Labour’s Jess Phillips enjoyed the optics of Rishi Sunak delivering his announcement of a general election in the soaking rain.
July General Election: What happens now?
With 20 points behind the polls, the prime minister has called a general election to be held on July 4.
Parliament will now have to wrap up and dissolve to let the electoral campaign begin.
Parties have up to four weeks to convince Brits to vote for them in the ballots.
This pivotal election means that if Rishi Sunak manages to come back from 20 points, he would become a history-maker.
It has been two decades since the country hasn’t seen a Labour leader take over Downing Street.
Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out any deal with the SNP but he hasn’t commented on one with the Lib Dems.
On the other hand, the Tories have denied joining hands with the far-right after Jacob Rees-Mogg suggested a pact with Reform UK.
Starmer responds to Sunak’s snap election announcement
As Rishi Sunak announced a snap election on 4 July, Labour’s Keir Starmer posted a video on X with the caption: “Change.”
‘Things Can Only Get Better’ Drowns Out Sunak election announcement
D:Ream’s song ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ has drowned out the sound of Rishi Sunak’s election announcement.
The 1990s hit, famously played during Tony Blair’s successful Labour election campaign, was blasted out of speakers as the heavens open on the prime minister.
The scene, as has been pointed out on Twitter, has echoes of an episode of the political satire. Thick of It.
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2024-05-22 16:04:15Z
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