Rishi Sunak, the Conservative Party leader who on Diwali day in October 2022 became Britain’s first Prime Minister of Indian heritage, surprised many pollsters this week when he set July 4 as the date of the UK’s General Election. His place in the history books as the country’s first British Indian leader is secure as he now steps into an intense six-week campaign phase.
Amid pouring rain on the steps of 10 Downing Street, Sunak vowed to fight for every vote: “I came to office, above all, to restore economic stability… Our economy is now growing faster than anyone predicted, outpacing Germany, France and the United States. And this morning it was confirmed that inflation is back to normal. This means that the pressure on prices will ease, and mortgage rates will come down. This is proof that the plan and priorities I set out are working.
“Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future. To decide whether we want to build on the progress we have made or risk going back to square one with no plan and no certainty.”
The Opposition Labour Party was soon to counter with its own election pitch, saying that it was a moment the country has been waiting for.
Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "Now it will feel like a long campaign – I'm sure of that. But no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about.
"Over the course of the last four years, we've changed the Labour Party. Returned it once more to the service of working people. All we ask now – humbly – is to do exactly the same for our country, and return Britain to the service of working people.
The Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, also echoed a message of change in his speech: “Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to elect a strong local champion who will fight for a fair deal for you and your community.“
With Prime Minister Sunak having informed King Charles of the General Election timeline, the Parliament will now be dissolved by next week ahead of the election campaign picking up top speed.
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