Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the general election date, 4th July, and it sent the UK media into a tailspin. Here’s the full story.
The Big Day
After months of speculation, factional infighting within the Conservative Party and rumours about when the election would be called, the big day has finally arrived.
Uniquely British Announcement
Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister for the time being, announced the general election for the 4th of July at a uniquely British announcement outside 10 Downing Street.
“Your Prime Minister”
Standing at a podium in the pouring rain, Sunak announced the election to the British public, stating, “As I stand here as your Prime Minister, I can’t help but reflect that my first proper introduction to you was just over four years ago. I stood behind one of the podiums upstairs in the building behind me.”
“Generation-Defining Moment”
He continued, “I told you that we faced a generation-defining moment and that we as a society could not be judged by some Government action, but by the small acts of kindness we showed one another. You met that challenge and then some, and I had never been prouder to be British.”
Things Can Only Get Better
However, the rain wasn’t the only issue that affected Sunak’s announcement. Nearby protesters blasted the 90s classic “Things Can Only Get Better” by D:Ream, which was the anthem to Tony Blair’s 1997 Labour landslide.
Journalistic Frenzy
The announcement was heavily rumoured throughout the day, sending many journalists into a frenzy as they awaited it.
“Sunak’s Given Up”
Some were heavily critical of Sunak, with former Labour advisor and journalist Philip Collins posting on X, formerly Twitter: “Sunak’s given up. Calling an election now means he’s given up.”
Conservative Bewilderment
Other journalists scrambling to get quotes from Conservative MPs mentioned the bewilderment of many Tories who thought the election timing was questionable.
“Why Do It Before the Flights?”
Newsnight journalist Nicholas Watt posted, “[I] am rather losing count of the number of ministers asking me what is happening with their government. One described an imminent general election as ‘weird’. They asked: ‘why do it before the flights have taken off for Rwanda?’”
“Labour Won”
Some journalists went back through history, reading the tea leaves of the past to see what the election’s timing might mean. Sky News’ Darren McCaffrey pointed out, “The last time there was a July election in the UK was in 1945 (5th July). Labour won by a landslide.”
One Possible Reason
David Williamson from the Sunday Express called up Conservative backbenchers to get their take on the election news, only to find a possible reason why Sunak felt he had to call the election now.
Jumped Before He Was Pushed
Following weeks of speculation that Conservative MPs might depose him for a new leader, Sunak may have jumped before he was pushed.
“No Confidence Letter”
Williamson posted on X: “I just rang up a backbencher to see what they thought of an early election and they told me they were in the process of writing a no confidence letter.”
“Literal Car Crash”
Novara Media’s Aaron Bastani spoke of the seemingly disastrous announcement on X, posting, “I remember Labour launching their 2010 election, and there was a literal car crash across the road.”
“Feels Way Worse”
He continued, “Watching Sunak announcing an election in the pissing rain, as his blazer looks like it’s made of rubber, while D:Ream is playing, feels way worse.”
“Join a Union”
Some online only saw the funny side of Sunak’s wet election announcement, with the Trades Union Congress sharing a picture of the soaked Prime Minister with the caption, “Forced to work in the rain unnecessarily? Join a union.”
“Only Get Wetter”
Scottish comedian Grant Gallacher joked about the rain and the protester-provided soundtrack with a simple tweet which read, “Things can only get wetter.”
“Change”
Labour leader Keir Starmer posted online minutes after Sunak made the announcement, with a single-worded post that said simply, “Change.”
“Great and Proud Country”
Along with the tweet, Starmer shared a video calling for people to vote Labour. In it, he said, “Britain is a great and proud country, but after 14 years under the Tories, nothing seems to work anymore.”
“They Have Failed”
He continued, “The answer is not five more years of the Tories, they have failed… Britain deserves better than that.”
“Either Keir Starmer or I Will Be Prime Minister”
Sunak ended his speech outside Downing Street by saying, “On 5th July, either Keir Starmer or I will be prime minister. He has shown time and time again that he will take the easy way out and do anything to get power.”
“Abandon All the Promises”
He continued, “I have to say, if he was happy to abandon all the promises he made to become Labour leader once he got the job, how can you know that he won’t do exactly the same thing if he were to become prime minister?”
“How Can You Be Trusted?”
He ended by saying, “If you don’t have the conviction to stick to anything you say, if you don’t have the courage to tell people what you want to do, and if you don’t have a plan, how can you possibly be trusted to lead our country, especially at this most uncertain of times?”
Uncertain Future
With the election date now announced, how the British public will vote on 4th July remains to be seen.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Alan Fraser Images.