Prime Minister of UK, Rishi SunakThis Wednesday, the 22nd, it was announced that the next general elections would be held in a month 4th of July. The result is dangerous, as his Conservative Party is trailing the opposition Labor Party in recent opinion polls.
The prime minister criticized Labor leader Keir Starmer for his “lack of confidence” in calling the elections, saying he was “led by what is right, not what is easy”.
“The Labor Party has no plan. No bold move. As a result, the future will be uncertain only for them,” declared Sunak, who was almost drenched by rain as he spoke outside 10 Downing Street, the seat of government. “Keir Starmer has shown time and time again that he will take the easy way out and do anything to get power.”
End of an era?
However, Labor has a plan, the Conservatives acknowledged last week when a 20-page document detailing the opposition's agenda was released. And all the polls say people don't fear Starmer – they trust him more than Chung.
According to news website Politico, which averages confidence polls in the United Kingdom, Labor appears on 44% with voting intentions, compared to 23% for the Conservatives. In the local body elections this year and 2023, ruling party politicians have been rejected in favor of opposition party members.
A defeat for his Conservative Party would end the party's 14-year reign.
Unpopularity
The deadline for calling elections is January 2025, and until recently the government was working with the possibility of holding elections in the middle of the second semester. So, for some analysts, the prime minister's bold gesture could be an attempt to avoid further attrition before the next trip to the polls. Some commentators described the act as “a gamble”. In a recent YouGov poll, Sunak has a negative rating of over 70%.
The Conservative Party is now hoping that recent improvements in the economy, falling inflation and progress on implementing a controversial plan to deport undocumented migrants to Rwanda, Africa, will help reverse its unpopularity.
“I took office above all to restore economic stability, which is fundamental to any future success. Whether it's rising wages and good jobs, investing in our public services or protecting the country, Sunak said.
The schedule is tight. Next Thursday, May 30, Parliament will be dissolved for the July 4 election. Five days later, the newly elected parliament convenes to elect a president and swear in representatives. On July 17, Parliament will reopen with a speech by King Charles III.
Now 44, the former treasury and finance minister assumed the helm of government two years ago. Since then, he has struggled to defend his agenda and is frustrated that his victories are not being celebrated.
“I will never allow the people of this country to face the dark days alone,” Sunak said at one point in the speech. Voters seem to be fed up with the Prime Minister and his party. He has just six weeks to change that.
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