Sunak also dissolved Parliament. He said that on Wednesday morning he asked King Charles III to dissolve Parliament on May 30, which was granted to allow a general election to be held.
Previously, Sunak, who was chosen as prime minister in October 2022, was expected to remain in office for at least two years before new elections.
One possibility was that the election would be held at the end of this year or in January 2025. In the current scenario, after successive changes, there is a possibility that the UK could have a fourth prime minister within two years, if Sunak is not re-elected.
Experts say a longer period of time for new elections would provide more opportunities to improve the UK economy.
In London, Sunak said he was proud of what his government had done, and had fought to respect “every vote” it received.
Chris Mason, political editor at BBC News, points out that there is pressure on Sunak to bring the election date forward.
Those responsible for the charge before the election included members of the Conservative Party, including Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden.
One of the main reasons for this decision, according to experts, is the recent positive economic data.
Sunak's allies are aware that there is a possibility that the situation will not improve much in the coming months, which could lead to imminent defeat for the Conservatives among voters.
In other words, allies understood that Sunak needed to race against time, so there was no chance of worsening results.
In the current scenario, the inflation rate has slowed, which is considered a success, and Sunak can say that one of his goals when taking office has been achieved, or at least is on the right track.
“naturally [os resultados econômicos] These are not just government actions. “But governments are accountable when inflation is high, so it is reasonable to expect them to try to get some credit when it falls — and it has,” Mason said.
The decision to call elections in July comes at a time when the scenario was not the best for the conservatives.
Voting intentions polls in the United Kingdom point to Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labor Party and the main opponent of the Conservative Party, as the favorite in the election.
During his speech on Wednesday, Sunak criticized Starmer as someone who had no government plan.
“I don't know what they're offering, and actually, I think you are [eleitor] “He doesn't know either,” he said.
'It's time for a change'
Shortly after Sunak's announcement, Starmer invited the press to talk about the election date. He said that this is the moment that the country needs and is waiting for a change of representatives.
With two United Kingdom flags as a backdrop, he stated that the Labor Party had changed in recent years, asked for a chance and stated that this election represented a guarantee of a better future.
He said he would “return Britain to the service of the working class” and transform the country.
Starmer stated that conditions that are the target of complaints among Britons will improve, such as sanitation and public health, and the increase in mortgages and food prices that have occurred in recent years will be reversed.
If the Conservatives get another five years, Starmer continues, “they will have the right to carry on exactly as they are.”
He added: “Nothing will change.”
Starmer says a vote for Labor is a vote for stability, a vote for “a policy that moves with flying colors… and ends the chaos”.
“It's time for change,” he added.
Contrary to Sunak's statements about his opponents' lack of plans, Starmer stated that Labor has a long-term plan to rebuild the country.
He identified three themes during his statement: “Stop the chaos,” “Time for change,” and “Reset the economy and our politics.”
“The future of the country is in your hands,” Starmer said. He added: “Together we can stop the chaos, turn the page and start rebuilding Britain and changing our country.”
Behind the scenes of the election announcement
For experts, Labour's main argument during the election will be simple and can be summed up in one word: change.
The party will argue that the current government's plan is not working and that it is time for someone new.
There will be many other battles, over issues such as the National Health Service, the National Health Service, immigration and national security, among others.
British political scientist John Curtis said in an interview with BBC Radio about Sunak's announcement.
He decided to call elections early. “Whether he is doing it in the hope of winning or whether he is giving up will be a subject of commentary and speculation over the next 24 hours,” Curtis said.
“Rishi Sunak calls out his actions in pandemic – wants voters to accept this stability.”
On the other hand, Keir Starmer says: “You want stability, the kind that the Conservatives haven't been able to give you – to get that stability you need to change the government.”
Curtis reckons Sunak is giving Labor a chance.
BBC political correspondent Henry Zeifman believes the next few hours will be a time of reflection for the Conservatives.
He points out that there is a conflict in some wings of the party over bringing forward the election date.
“I don’t understand it,” one Conservative MP told Zifman. “The economy is improving. Why don’t we give more time (for new elections)?”
According to palace sources, the Prime Minister met with the King on Wednesday.
The meeting lasted about 15 minutes. The hearing was held on the same day as the Prime Minister's usual hearing on Wednesday, in the usual courtroom at Buckingham Palace.
A palace spokesman said: “Following the Prime Minister’s statement this afternoon in which he called a general election, the Royal Family will – in line with normal procedure – postpone engagements that may appear to distract from the election campaign.”
“Their Majesties send their sincere apologies to any who may be affected as a result.”
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