Britain’s political party leaders embarked on a nationwide tour Thursday, initiating a six-week election campaign with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party striving to counter widespread predictions of their ousting. Voters will decide on July 4 whether to entrust the opposition Labour Party with governing after 14 years of Conservative rule.
Prime Minister Sunak called for an earlier-than-expected election, arguing that the Conservatives can provide stability during turbulent times. In contrast, Labour promises significant change after years of political and economic turmoil under the Tories.
“We will stop the chaos,” declared Labour leader Keir Starmer, the frontrunner to become Britain’s next prime minister. He warned that if the Conservatives “get another five years, they will feel entitled to carry on exactly as they are. Nothing will change.” Starmer urged voters to seize the opportunity to end the chaos and rebuild Britain.
The surprise election announcement, made by Sunak on Wednesday outside 10 Downing Street, caught many by surprise, especially as it was marred by rain and protesters. Initially expected in the fall, the election will now take place just as official figures show U.K. inflation falling to 2.3%, allowing Sunak to highlight his success in controlling rising prices, which peaked at over 11% in late 2022.
Sunak has been visiting England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland within the first 48 hours of the campaign, emphasizing his readiness to take bold action. “Uncertain times demand bold action in order to deliver security,” he told the BBC, vowing to fight for every vote.
The decision to call an early election has been seen by some as a risky move. U.K. elections must be held at least every five years, but the prime minister can choose the timing within that period. Sunak, who took office in October 2022 after Liz Truss’s brief and turbulent tenure, had until December to name the date.
The election campaign will unfold against a backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis and ongoing debates over handling migrants and asylum seekers crossing the English Channel. Critics argue that Sunak’s decision for a summer election signals doubts about the success of his contentious migration plan, which includes sending migrants to Rwanda. Sunak reiterated on Thursday that deportation flights would commence if he is re-elected.
The early election call means some government-backed legislation may not be passed before Parliament is suspended on Friday. This includes a plan to create a “smoke-free generation” by banning the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after 2008.
In this election, voters across the U.K. will choose all 650 members of the House of Commons for a term of up to five years. The party that wins a majority will form the next government, and its leader will become prime minister.
Starmer, Labour’s leader since 2020, has shifted the party towards the political center after replacing Jeremy Corbyn, a staunch socialist. Pre-election polls show Labour with a significant lead. An Ipsos poll last week placed Labour at 41%, compared to 20% for the Conservatives, with a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
Various factors could influence the election outcome, including the political situation in Scotland, where the pro-independence Scottish National Party has been dominant. Labour hopes for gains amid the SNP’s internal challenges. Additionally, the centrist Liberal Democrats pose a threat primarily to the Conservatives in the south and southwest of England.
The hard-right Reform U.K. party, formerly led by Nigel Farage, could challenge the Conservatives in England’s former industrial areas. Although Farage announced he would not run for Parliament, he plans to support the campaign, focusing his efforts on the U.S. presidential election where he remains an ally of Donald Trump.
Farage emphasized the global significance of the U.S. election, stating, “A strong America as a close ally is vital for our peace and security. I intend to help with the grassroots campaign in the USA in any way that I can.”
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