by Mick the Ram

In a move that has surprised commentators and political experts, the UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has announced that there will be a General Election on 4 July.

It represents a huge electoral gamble by Mr Sunak, given that the Labour party are way ahead in the polls, currently believed to be as high as 20 points.

The PM has been saying for months an election would happen in the “second half of the year” but had refused to set a date and the assumption was that he would wait until the autumn to give him more time to deliver on his pledges.

Effectively, he has been true to his word – by four days – but very few if any, saw this coming.

Emergency Cabinet meeting

The Prime Minister made the announcement after briefing the Cabinet on his plans in Downing Street this afternoon (22 May). Earlier, Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, cut short a trip to Albania, while Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, delayed an overseas trip, as they both were required at a hastily arranged cabinet meeting.

Speculation began to mount that there could be a surprise announcement coming, and sure enough, at just after 5pm, Mr Sunak appeared from Number Ten and addressed the nation.

His timing was not great, as at that very moment the heavens opened and he stood alone, without any protection from the elements, to deliver his speech.

PM proud of his achievements

The PM began by saying the last five years have seen the country fight through the most challenging times since World War Two, making him “proud to be British”. He then spoke about the furlough scheme he introduced when the pandemic hit, saying: “for so many it is easy to forget the scale of what we have been through”.

Touching on the war in the Ukraine and how it had impacted on people’s energy bills, he said: “Economic stability is the bedrock of any success,” acknowledging how difficult times are for many people currently.

Request to dissolve parliament

He then went on to challenge the public to decide Britain’s future; saying it was time to decide “whether you want to build on the future you’ve made, or risk going back to square one”.

Mr Sunak then confirmed that he had earlier spoken with His Majesty the King to request the dissolution of Parliament and the request had been granted.

Therefore, he said, “we will have a general election on July 4,” adding: “This election will take place at a time when the world is more dangerous than it has been since the end of the Cold War.”

Early dig at opposition

The PM then insisted that his government have a clear plan. He admitted that he had not got everything right while in power, but turning his attention to his opposition, he said: “I don’t know what they offer – and in truth, I don’t think you do either.”

Continuing on that topic, he remarked: “If he (Sir Keir Starmer) was happy to abandon all the promises he made to become Labour leader once he got the job, how can you know that he won’t do exactly the same thing if he were to become prime minister?”

Can “things get better”?

Over the next few weeks, Mr Sunak said he will fight for every vote, earn the people’s trust, and will prove that a Conservative government led by him, will not put the “hard-earned” economic stability at risk and will “restore pride in our country and deliver a secure future for you, your family and our United Kingdom.”

Throughout his address he was repeatedly drowned out by protesters who were playing the New Labour Anthem: “Things Can Only Get Better” by D:Ream, famously associated with the time Tony Blair took charge.

Labour’s response

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called this “the moment the country needs and has been waiting for”. He made the point that his party has changed over the last few years and asked for a chance to do the same for the country, vowing to: “return Britain to the service of working people”.

He said if the Conservatives were to get another five years “they will be entitled to carry on exactly as they are, nothing will change.”

Sir Keir said a vote for Labour was a chance to turn the page and change the future and he assured the public that they have a long-term plan to rebuild Britain, which is fully costed and will deliver economic growth.

Royal’s to postpone engagements in coming weeks

The PM’s meeting with the King apparently lasted just 15 minutes, with a Palace spokesperson saying: “Following the prime minister’s statement, the Royal Family will – in accordance with normal procedure – postpone engagements that may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaigns,” before adding: “Their majesties send their sincere apologies to any of those who may be affected as a result.

Dissolution of Parliament will take place on Thursday 30 May. After the General Election on 4 July, the 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, with the State Opening on Wednesday 17 July.