UK set for surprise snap UK General Election this summer

22 May, 2024

Rishi Sunak

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called a surprise early election for July 4 at Downing Street earlier today (May 22).

Sunak stood outside Number 10 and made a speech in heavy rain, announcing that he’d approached King Charles this morning to dissolve parliament ahead of a General Election.

During his speech, Sunak was largely drowned out by a sound system close by playing D:REAM’s ‘Things Can Only Get Better’, which was the election campaign song for Labour in 1997.

The move to an early election is seen as a high-risk move for the Conservative Party as it currently trails 20 points behind Labour in the polls.

Announcing the election, Sunak said this was “the moment for Britain to choose its future”.

He continued: “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. Now I’ve stuck with that plan and always been honest with you about what is needed even when that’s been difficult.”

He added: “I cannot and will not claim that we have got everything right. No government could, but I am proud of what we have achieved together, the bold actions we have taken. I’m confident about what we can do in the future.”

Starmer is widely expected to become the next Prime Minister after 14 years of Conservative rule.

After Sunak’s announcement, Starmer posted a video on X/Twitter, saying it was “time for change” and adding that five more years of the Tories would mean things could get worse. “Stop the chaos; turn the page; start to rebuild,” he said.

“After 14 years under the Tories, nothing seems to work any more. Public services crumbling, ambulances that don’t come, families weighed down by higher mortgage rates, antisocial behaviour on our high streets, the list goes on and on. Political chaos feeding decline, feeding chaos, feeding decline.”

Starmer added: “Only a changed Labour party will get Britain’s future back. And make no mistake, the Labour party has changed. Reconnected to our purpose: to serve working people as you drive our country forward, with economic stability at the forefront of everything we do. Country first, party second, always.”

Meanwhile, social media has been reacting to the news. Check out some of the responses below.

 

 

 

 

This is a breaking news story – more to follow 

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