agencies
London
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called a general election for July 4, saying it was “the moment for Britain to choose its future.”
Ending months of speculation as to when he would call a new vote, Sunak, 44, stood outside his Downing Street office in pouring rain and announced he was calling the election earlier than expected, a risky strategy with his party far behind Labour in the opinion polls. Almost shouting to be heard above an anthem associated with the Labour Party played by protesters just outside the gates to Downing Street, Sunak listed what he said were his achievements in government, not only as prime minister but also as a former finance minister.
“Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future,” he said, describing that choice as one between stability with him and the unknown with Labour leader Keir Starmer.
Sunak has gambled that improved inflation figures and a recovering economy will help him overturn the opposition Labour Party’s 20-point opinion poll lead over his Conservative Party.
In a sign that security and the economy will be key battlegrounds, 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 said.
A July election is earlier than many in Westminster had expected, with a contest in October or November widely thought to have been more likely.
Sunak’s announcement came after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said consumer prices index (CPI) inflation slowed to 2.3 percent in April, down from 3.2 percent in March.
He said that was a “major milestone” for the country, with inflation now “back to normal” levels.
One reason for delaying might have been to allow Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to deliver another tax-cutting financial statement in the lead-up to the vote, but official figures revealed borrowing for April overshot forecasts, hitting £20.5bn ($26.1bn), suggesting he would have had limited scope for pre-election giveaways.
