Following a day filled with intense speculation in Westminster, the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that the general election will be held on 4th July 2024.
UK Prime Minister announced the snap general election in a statement outside Downing Street on Wednesday evening, as his Conservative party faces an uphill struggle to extend its 14 years in power.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron abruptly ended his trip to Albania, and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps postponed his overseas trip to attend a cabinet meeting.
During a session in the Commons this afternoon, the SNP’s Westminster leader challenged Sunak, asking if he was “feart” (scared) of holding an election. Sunak responded by confirming that the election would indeed take place in the second half of the year.
“Earlier today I spoke with his majesty the King to ask for the dissolution of Parliament. The King has granted this request, and we will have a general election on the 4th of July.” said Rishi Sunak, speaking during a news conference outside Downing Street.
Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that U.K. inflation dropped to 2.3% in April earlier on Wednesday morning.
Sunak’s ruling Conservative Party had been hoping for signs of an improving economic environment, as it lags in the polls ahead of the national election.
“Economic stability is the bedrock of any future success,” said Sunak. “And because of our collective sacrifice and your hard work, we have reached two major milestones in delivering that stability.”
He qualified that the U.K. economy is now growing faster than anyone expected.
Opinion polls now suggest results that range from a resounding victory for Labour to a disastrous electoral annihilation for the Conservatives, according to the CNN report.
However, the recent campaigns for elections and referendums have proven unstable, and the Conservatives, who are still openly optimistic about winning, have indicated that opinions about Labour’s proposal are divided.
All 650 of the UK’s parliamentary seats will vote on Thursday, July 4. The two major parties will be attempting to surpass the 326 threshold required for a majority when the votes are counted overnight.
At that moment, a government will be established and assume power without delay, subject to the ceremonial assent of King Charles III.
