Rishi Sunak has finally bowed to calls for a General Election – announcing the country will go to the polls on July 4.
The PM, getting wetter and wetter as he was pelted by rain, was drowned out by D:Ream hit Things Can Only Get Better – Tony Blair’s 1997 landslide anthem – as he brought months of speculation to an end.
Keir Starmer responded saying: “It’s time for change.” He warned: “Give the Tories five more years and things will only get worse.” It will be the first July election since 1945, when Sir Winston Churchill’s Conservatives were kicked out in a Labour landslide.
Earlier in the day Mr Sunak ordered Foreign Secretary David Cameron to cut short a trip to Albania for a Cabinet meeting where he told his top team what was happening.
Speaking outside Downing Street, Mr Sunak said: “I hope that my work since I became Prime Minister shows that we have a plan and are prepared to take the bold action necessary for our country to flourish. I have stuck with that plan and always been honest with you about what is needed even when that’s been difficult.”
It comes after it was announced this morning that inflation had fallen to 2.3% – slightly above the 2.1% that economists had expected. No10 poured petrol on speculation about an imminent election by refusing to rule it out.
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Protester said he played Things Can Only Get Better to ‘troll’ Sunak speech
The protester who played Things Can Only Get Better during Rishi Sunak’s election speech said he chose the New Labour tune because it was the “top trolling song for the Conservatives”.
Anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray said he selected the D:Ream song for its association with the Tory landslide defeat in the 1997 general election rather than as a show of support for Labour in the upcoming campaign.
He added that his protest outside Downing Street was paused when his two amplifiers became soaked and stopped working during heavy rain in Westminster. Speaking from near Westminster Abbey, Mr Bray told the PA news agency: “I thought about what would be the best trolling tune if he announced the election.
“And of course, it had to be Things Can Only Get Better. Because everybody can relate to that and the 1997 election. I didn’t do it for Labour. I did it because it was the top trolling song for the Conservatives.”
Responding to complaints that people could not hear the speech in Downing Street because of his protest, Mr Bray said: “Look at the damage Sunak’s done to the country. If they couldn’t hear the speech, it’s still reported. They’ll know what he said.”
‘The power is in your hands to change Britain for the better at this election’ says Starmer
Rishi Sunak can’t hide any longer. That’s the beauty of our democracy. Ultimately, power doesn’t belong to the Prime Minister or any other politician, writes Labout leader Keir Starmer in The Mirror.
Power rests with you. And now, that power is in your hands in this General Election. You have the chance. To make your voice heard. To seize control of your future, and your family’s future. To change Britain for the better.
I know people are cynical at the moment about whether politics – and politicians – can really make a difference. After 14 years of this government, frankly I’m not surprised. They’ve promised the earth and delivered ashes.
Time and again, they’ve pursued their own interests rather than tackling the issues that affect your family. They’ve left the country worse off than when they started. I don’t care which party you are, that’s unforgiveable.
You don’t have to look far to see it. Living standards are down. Crime goes unpunished. Ambulances never come. Schools crumble over our children’s heads. Sewage floods our waters. Mortgages and food prices are through the roof.
The country I love has lost its way – because it’s been led by people who simply weren’t up to the job. And mark my words. If the Tories get 5 more years, nothing will change. On the contrary. They’ll be even more entitled and more emboldened than ever.
Keir Starmer vows to ‘change Britain for the better’ as he launches election campaign in Mirror
Keir Starmer has declared it’s “time for change” after Rishi Sunak finally named the date of the election.
“Together, we can stop the chaos. Together, we can turn the page. Together, we can rebuild our country,” he adds. “Rishi Sunak can’t hide any longer.” Voters will go to the polls on July 4 when the country will get the chance to boot the Tories out of No10. The Prime Minister’s campaign immediately got off to a disastrous start as he got drenched as he made the election announcement in the pouring rain in Downing Street.
The PM walked out of the front door of No10 shortly after 5pm where he declared “now is the moment for Britain to decide its future”. As his suit got soaked in the torrential rain, he pledged to “fight for every vote”. His announcement came hours after it was confirmed that inflation – the rate at which prices are rising – has dropped to 2.3%. Addressing the nation, Mr Sunak said voters have “to decide whether we want to build on the progress we have made or risk going back to square one with no plan and no certainty”.
In a sign that the Tories plan to make security a key battleground, Mr Sunak said: “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.” He claimed Mr Starmer could not be trusted to lead the country through “uncertain” times.
Mr Starmer hit back as he addressed voters in a speech to young activists from his constituency and the nearby area behind a lectern with one word on it: “Change.” The Labour leader said a vote for his party on July 4 would be a “vote to stop the chaos”. He described the contest as the “moment the country needs and has been waiting for”. Following his speech, Mr Starmer returned to Labour HQ where he was cheered by staff.
‘Gambler Rishi Sunak may need a miracle to smash Labour’s massive lead in polls’
With the Tories trailing so far behind in the opinion polls, Rishi Sunak’s decision to call an election now may look like insanity, says The Mirror’s political editor John Stevens.
Our election tracker on Saturday put Labour 20 percentage points ahead. If Keir Starmer repeats that margin of victory on polling day, he will sweep into Downing Street with an even bigger majority than Tony Blair got in 1997.
It would be the Tory Party’s worst general election result in history, with hundreds of MPs losing their seats including many Cabinet ministers. But the PM has decided to cut and run as he thinks things are not going to get better than they are now.
While most families are still feeling the pinch, official figures announced yesterday showed inflation, the rate at which prices rise, has dropped to 2.3%. It came after the news a fortnight ago that the country had tiptoed out of recession.
Labour’s shadow justice secretary ‘confident’ of General Election victory
Shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood is “confident” of a Labour victory in the General Election.
Labour needs a swing of 12.5 percentage points to just win a majority of one and Ms Mahmood said it is possible although she is not taking anything for granted.
“I hope so. We will be out there campaigning hard for every single vote. We are confident that we can win the next general election,” she told Sky News.
“We are not complacent, and we have always had a mountain to climb. Our result in 2019 was one of our worst ever defeats since we’ve actually been in existence as a Labour Party. And so coming back from that in one term, winning a majority at the next general Election was always going to be difficult. We were always aware of that.”
Memes see soggy Rishi Sunak lampooned for everything from rain to Larry the cat
After months of speculation, Rishi Sunak finally confirmed the date of the General Election today – unfortunately for him downpours in London sparked a torrent of memes at his expense.
Speaking from a lectern in Downing Street, the Prime Minister called the election for July 4 and once more outlined his reasons why he believed voters should back the Conservatives over Labour as he was quickly soaked by the rain.
And the miserable conditions surrounding the Prime Minister’s announcement proved fertile ground online with many taking the opportunity to lampoon him.
The Trade Union Congress, who have previously hit out at the current government’s anti-union stance, used an image of Sunak standing in the rain to promote collective bargaining. “Forced to work in the rain unnecessarily? Join a union,” it said.
Satirical artist Christopher Spencer, better known as Cold War Steve, uploaded a photoshopped image of Sunak attempting to navigate floodwater rushing down Downing Street following his announcement. X user Mr Roger Quimbly posted a screenshot of Sunak stood in the rain with the caption: “Labour doesn’t have a plan” says man who hadn’t checked the weather forecast.”
A parody X account for Chief Mouser Larry the Cat posted: “Lots of people asking me where I was when Sunak announced the election. I was inside, because it was raining. Only an idiot would have gone out in that.” Brian Harris added using another photo of Sunak in the rain: “Even the UK weather is telling him to **** off. It’s quite a look.”
Lib Dem MP says party has been ‘ready for months’
A London Lib Dem MP has said the party has been “ready for months” for a General Election and the public will be “breathing a sigh of relief” after the announcement.
Munira Wilson, MP for Twickenham, told ITV News London: “After Rishi Sunak bottled it for May, I think most of us thought it was going to be October, November time but, to be honest, the Liberal Democrats have been ready for months now and we’re ready to go and kick this Conservative government out.
“I think people across the country will breathing a sigh of relief that he’s finally going to dissolve parliament and go to the country.”
Ms Wilson said the Lib Dems would be targeting seats in Esher and Walton and just outside London in Hertfordshire, adding: “We are battle ready and we’ve got an army of activists who are out there desperate to deliver change.”
Labour MP for Halifax says she will stand down at the General Election
Holly Lynch, Labour MP for Halifax, has announced she will stand down at this summer’s General Election.
In a letter posted on social media, she wrote: “Today’s announcement has come much sooner in the year than I had anticipated, and whilst I have the most amazing husband and family, as the mother of a young son with another on the way, I have found balancing the requirements of this very special job, with those responsibilities, increasingly difficult.
“It is right that the role of an MP asks a great deal from those lucky enough to hold the office, however it also requires you to ask the same of your own family and I have found this harder and harder at this moment in their young lives.”
Rishi Sunak says Tory activists were ‘up for this General Election’ at a rally
Rishi Sunak hailed Conservative activists as “the life blood of our incredible party” who were “up for this General Election” at a rally in London’s ExCel Centre.
Flanked by Cabinet colleagues and introduced by Home Secretary James Cleverly, the Prime Minister spoke in shirtsleeves following his appearance in the rain in Downing Street earlier on Wednesday.
Referring to news that inflation had fallen to 2.3%, he said he had delivered on his first pledge to the British people, adding: “We have shown the country that it is only this Conservative Party that can deliver the economic stability, the foundation of our national success.”
He also repeated warnings that Labour would take the country “back to square one”, adding: “We know the only certainty with Labour is they will run out of money and raise your taxes.”
Mr Cleverly said: “In a time of turbulence, when there is danger across the globe… we need a leader at a head of a government who is willing to make the right choices.”
Sky reporter physically removed from first Conservative campaign event
A Sky News broadcast crew has been removed from the ExCel Centre by security ahead of a speech by the Prime Minister.
Broadcaster Darren McCaffrey and his crew were escorted from the venue by two security guards, with the correspondent saying they had not been allowed in due to broadcast pooling arrangements. Rishi Sunak spoke to a crowd of Conservative activists at the East London shortly afterwards.
Mr McCaffrey said: “We just simply wanted to have access tonight, but unfortunately, we are told that because there are pool arrangements in place, we are not allowed to be here.” He added that it was “not entirely clear” why he was not being allowed in the room.
Sky’s political correspondent @darrenmccaffrey is removed from Rishi Sunak’s campaign launch event.https://t.co/xItZsH7tea
Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/q5ulqMMsoO
— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 22, 2024
Ed Davey says every Liberal Democrat vote will be for a ‘local champion’
Ed Davey said every vote for the Liberal Democrats in the General Election will be a vote for a “local champion”.
The Lib Dem leader said at an event with supporters in Surrey: “Across the country, people are crying out for change and this election is the chance to make that happen. In so many parts of the country it’s the Liberal Democrats who can beat the Conservatives, who have taken people for granted for so long.
“Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for a local champion — an MP who will fight for you, your family and your community to get the fair deal that you so deserve.
“This Government is out of touch, it’s out of excuses and it’s out of time. And it’s time to get this Conservative Government out of office. And if we do, we can transform our politics, we can sort out the crisis in the health and care system, we can get our economy back on track, we can end the sewage scandal and we can get the fair deal people deserve.”
Top Tories at risk of ‘Portillo moments’
Jeremy Hunt, Grant Shapps and Mark Harper are among the top Tories who could be at risk of a ‘Portillo moment’.
Recent by-elections have shown that even majorities of over 20,000 can crumble.
Plea to make ‘crisis’ state of the NHS central to election
Labour and the Tories have been urged to put the NHS at the start of their General Election campaigns.
Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak have been told not to use the health service as a ‘political football’ and to make proper commitments. Professor Pat Cullen, general secretary and chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said: “An early plea from nursing staff: don’t make the NHS a political football but don’t think you can get by on just platitudes either.
“Nursing staff are looking for firm commitments from all candidates and all parties – things have got to change. Patients need safer care; staff need fairer treatment, starting with their pay – these issues must be central to the election debate in the coming weeks.
Professor Phil Banfield, chair of council at the British Medical Association, said: “This election is a chance to guarantee the future of our NHS for everyone, and it couldn’t have come at a more crucial time. The NHS is in crisis, with a demoralised workforce who are run down after years of being overworked and real terms pay cuts, and more than a decade of rising waiting lists and cuts to services.
“Thousands upon thousands of doctors have joined colleagues across the NHS in taking unprecedented industrial action, after persistent failure to recognise and safeguard the medical workforce. We cannot allow our health services to continue stumbling from crisis to crisis. All parties must make the health of the NHS their top priority.”
How the General Election affects King and Queen’s engagements
The royal family has postponed engagements “which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign”.
Buckingham Palace said the King and Queen sent their “sincere apologies” to those affected, after Charles agreed on Wednesday to the Prime Minister’s request to dissolve Parliament for an election – for the first time in his reign.
The King and Queen’s D-Day 80th anniversary appearances in Portsmouth and Normandy in June are expected to go ahead as scheduled, but the announcement of a July 4 vote disrupted other events in the carefully planned forthcoming royal diaries.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Following the Prime Minister’s statement this afternoon calling a General Election, the royal family will, in accordance with normal procedure, postpone engagements that may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign.
“Their Majesties send their sincere apologies to any of those who may be affected as a result.”
Infected blood victims voice fears over impact on compensation scheme
Victims of the infected blood scandal feel ‘betrayed’ and ‘lied to’ amid confusion over how the election will impact compensation.
Fears have been raised about the speed at which the Victims and Prisoners Bill – which will legally establish a compensation body – can pass through the House of Commons.
Jason Evans, director of the Factor 8 campaign group, said: “The Victims and Prisoners Bill must be included in the wash-up, or we will have been fobbed off once again.”
Wash-up is the opportunity for Parliament to get through any unfinished business before it is dissolved.
“As things stand, we’ve received no communication of reassurance from the Cabinet Office or anyone else regarding the Bill,” Mr Evans added. “This whole thing is a mess, and I cannot begin to explain the mass confusion and anger among victims at this time. They feel betrayed and lied to, again.
“Our hope is that cross-party support can be secured to get this Bill into the wash-up and done before Parliament is dissolved.”
What happens now in Parliament?
In the coming days Parliament will be dissolved, with ministers facing a battle against time to “wash up” outstanding legislation.
Dissolution will happen on Thursday, May 30, which means MPs lose their status and must campaign for re-election if they want to serve another term. Before this happens, the Government will attempt to rush through any remaining Bills.
Tories will get rid of Rishi Sunak ‘like a shot’ even if he wins claims Wes Streeting
Tory MPs will get of Rishi Sunak “like a shot” even if they win the General Election, Wes Streeting has claimed.
The Shadow Health Secretary claimed Mr Sunak’s colleagues are furious over today’s announcement. And in a scathing jibe he claimed Mr Sunak “wants to get back to the Californian sunshine”.
He told LBC: “Be in no doubt, he may be the Prime Minister today but if somehow they turn the tide and get back in they will get rid of him like a shot.
“He does not have the support of his MPs, they are furious today that he’s called this election because he wants to get back to Californian sunshine.”
Tory MP rues snap election call as she had ‘so much more to do’
Outgoing Tory MP Dehenna Davidson has said the General Election announcement is “a lot to digest”.
Ms Davidson said she had been expecting the UK to go to the polls in the Autumn, and rued that she and her team had “so much more to do”.
In a statement on Twitter she said: “I think my team and I were prepared for Autumn, so emotionally this is a lot to digest. We had so much more to do, and thought we had a little more time. Alas. The brilliant causes we have been working on we will continue to support from beyond Parliament.”
What does Boris Johnson have to say?
We can expect plenty of speculation in the coming days over whether Boris Johnson will help the Tory General Election charge.
The shamed former PM, who quit last year ahead of a report saying he misled the Commons over Partygate, is “strongly supporting” Rishi Sunak and co, a spokesman said.
A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: “Boris Johnson is, as always, strongly supporting the Conservatives and encourages everybody to do the same.”
Jeremy Hunt vows to ‘fight with every bone in my body’ to keep seat
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed he WILL stand in the General Election.
Mr Hunt is widely expected to lose his Goldaming and Ash seat in Surrey, sparking speculation that he would step down. But he says he has no intention of doing so.
He posted on Twitter/X: “It will be my honour to fight with every bone in my body to get him re-elected because we need a government that takes the difficult decisions necessary to unlock our nation’s extraordinary potential.
“I will also stand for election in Godalming and Ash where I am proud of my local record and excited that the new boundaries include the town I went to school and the village I grew up in. It is a highly marginal seat so I will fight hard for every single vote!”
‘Together we can stop the chaos’ says Keir Starmer
The General Election is a chance to change the country for the better and end Tory chaos, Keir Starmer said.
In a speech following Mr Sunak’s announcement, the Labour leader said: “Tonight, the Prime Minister has finally announced the next General Election, a moment the country needs and has been waiting for and where, by the force of our democracy, power returns to you.
“A chance to change for the better your future, your community, your country. It will feel like a long campaign, I am sure of that, but no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about.”
He went on: “Together we can stop the chaos, we can turn the page, we can start to rebuild Britain”.
General Election ‘can’t come soon enough’ says Unison boss
The General Election announcement has been welcomed by trade union Unison, which said the vote “can’t come soon enough”.
General Secretary Christina McAnea said: “Election day can’t come soon enough. Working people and their families are crying out for a new government in Westminster.”
She continued: “Anyone who has struggled to make ends meet, tried to get an NHS appointment, seen council services savaged or wrangled with a social care sector that’s not fit for purpose will welcome this day.
“It’s been clear for months that this government is out of ideas, out of touch and should be out of office.”
Why has Rishi Sunak done it?
That’s the question ringing around the halls of Westminster.
Many Tory MPs aren’t best pleased that Rishi Sunak has called a General Election while the Conservatives are well behind Labour. And to some the decision appears pretty puzzling – why go now, rather than hope things improve.
Here our political editor John Stevens looks at the reasons behind the PM’s decision.
At last, a chance to kick out ‘appalling’ Tories says Ed Davey
The Lib Dems will be hoping to make some gains on July 4 after Rishi Sunak finally got the General Election campaign underway.
Leader Sir Ed Davey say it will be a chance to kick out the “appalling” Tory government. Sir Ed said: “This General Election is a chance to kick Rishi Sunak’s appalling Conservative government out of office and deliver the change the public is crying out for.
“For years the Conservative Party has taken voters for granted and lurched from crisis to crisis while the problems facing the country are getting so much worse.
“The NHS has been brought to its knees, people’s mortgages and rents have soared by hundreds of pounds a month, and water companies have got away with pumping filthy sewage into our rivers and beaches. All because this Conservative Government is more interested in fighting between themselves than standing up for the needs of the country.
“Every vote for the Liberal Democrats at this election is a vote for a strong local champion who will stand up for your community and health services. It’s clear that in many seats across the country, the best way to beat the Conservatives is to vote for the Liberal Democrats.”
Tory MP voices sorrow as Parliamentary career cut short
Mr Sunak’s decision isn’t going to go down well with Tory MPs.
They’re expecting a huge defeat – and it cuts short the careers of those who have announced they aren’t standing again. One of them, Tracey Crouch, voiced her sorrow that she won’t be able to accomplish all she hoped to.
Ms Crouch said: “I am feeling quite emotional about all this. I was anticipating an autumn departure from Parliament and still had important issues to raise on behalf of my constituents between now and then. I am sad that I won’t now get to do that.”
Keir Starmer vows to ‘stop the chaos’ in election speech
A dry Keir Starmer has vowed to “stop the chaos”.
Pointing to soaring prices and mortgages, sewage in rivers and poor crime outcomes, he said: “If they get another five years they will feel entitled to carry on as they are… nothing will change.”
He went on: “It’s time for change. Our offer is to reset our economy nand our politics.”
Weather puts a dampener as PM claims he’s best leader in uncertain times
The Prime Minister, his suit getting wetter and wetter, tried to persuade voters to back him in “uncertain times”.
Mr Sunak said: “These uncertain times call for a clear plan and bold action to charter a course to a secure future.
“You must choose in this election, who has that plan, who is prepared to take a bold action necessary to secure a better future for our country and our children?
“Now, I cannot and will not claim that we have got everything right. No government should, but I am proud of what we have achieved together, the bold actions we have taken and I’m confident about what we can do in the future.
The Prime Minister listed increasing the state pension by £900, reducing taxes on investment and reforming education as among his Government’s achievements.
“We prioritise energy security and your family finances over environmental dogma in our approach to net zero. We fully funded an increase in defence spending to two and a half percent of GDP. We made a decision to invest more in local transport that you actually use rather than endlessly power more money into HS2.
“We set out a comprehensive plan to reform our welfare system to make it fair for those who pay for it, as well as those who need it. Immigration is finally coming down and we are stopping the boats with our Rwanda partnership.”
What happens to Parliament now?
Parliament will be prorogued on Friday, it has been announced – meaning dozens of Bills will collapse.
Dissolution will take place on Thursday 30 May. 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.
The State Opening will be on Wednesday 17 July.
Keir Starmer responds to General Election announcement with call for change
As Rishi Sunak confirms the General Election will happen on July 4, this is what Keir Starmer had to say.
He’s been waiting for this for a while.
Change. pic.twitter.com/bgjiCnc3OG
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 22, 2024
Wet Rishi Sunak drowned out by Things Can Only Get Better
The PM has confirmed a July 4 General Election.
But his announcement didn’t go as he’d have liked it. While he spoke, protesters blasted out D:Ream track Things Can Only Get Better – Tony Blair’s 1997 anthem. “I can’t claim we’ve got everything right, but I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together,” the soggy PM said.
