British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has set July 4 as the date for a highly anticipated national election, seizing on a positive economic report to urge voters to give his governing Conservatives another chance. “Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future,” Sunak declared.
The announcement comes as Sunak’s center-right party has seen its support dwindle steadily after 14 years in power, grappling with crises including an economic slump, ethics scandals, and a revolving door of leaders in the past two years. The center-left Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, is strongly favored to defeat Sunak’s Conservatives.
Speculation about an imminent election call mounted after Sunak convened an unusual Wednesday Cabinet meeting and Foreign Secretary David Cameron cut short a trip to attend. The election will unfold against the backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis and deep divisions over how to handle migrants and asylum seekers making perilous English Channel crossings.
Notably, Sunak’s announcement coincided with official figures showing UK inflation had fallen sharply to 2.3%, its lowest level in nearly three years, driven by declining domestic bills. Sunak hailed this as a sign his plan was working, stating, “Today marks a major moment for the economy, with inflation back to normal. Brighter days are ahead, but only if we stick to the plan to improve economic security and opportunity for everyone.”
In the upcoming election, voters across the United Kingdom will choose all 650 members of the House of Commons for a term of up to five years. The party commanding a majority, either alone or in coalition, will form the next government and its leader will become prime minister.
Labour’s Starmer, a former chief prosecutor for England and Wales, is the current frontrunner. His party’s momentum has built since handing the Conservatives heavy losses in local elections earlier this month. Two Conservative lawmakers have also recently defected to Labour.
Following those local election successes, the 61-year-old Starmer last week announced a platform focused on economic stability after years of soaring inflation, aiming to win over disillusioned voters. He also pledged to improve border security, recruit more teachers and police, and reduce lengthy waiting lists at hospitals and clinics.
While UK elections must be held no more than five years apart, the prime minister can choose the timing within that period. Sunak, 44, had until December to call an election, with the last one held in December 2019.
Many analysts had anticipated a fall election would give the Conservatives a better chance of retaining power, as economic conditions could further improve, voters could feel the effect of recent tax cuts, interest rates may come down, and a controversial plan to deport some asylum-seekers to Rwanda – a key Sunak policy – could take flight.
However, despite the falling inflation, Sunak’s other promises – to grow the economy, reduce debt, cut healthcare waiting lists, and stop migrant Channel crossings – have seen less success. He has struggled since taking over following Liz Truss’s disastrous 49-day tenure and Boris Johnson’s ouster amid ethics scandals.