Rishi Sunak has dramatically announced that the general election will be held on July 4 after months of intense speculation.
A drenched Mr Sunak revealed the date on the steps of No 10 in the pouring rain following persistent scrutiny and questions over his leadership. But the long awaited moment descended into farce as the prime minister struggled to be heard over loud music blasted outside Downing Street.
In contrast, Sir Keir Starmer’s presented a calm and collected front as he stood in front of an indoor podium with two Union flags behind him, to promise stability and an end to Tory chaos.
The snap announcement caught Westminster by surprise, with the political rumour mill going into overdrive throught the day on Wednesday as Lord Cameron was called back from an overseas trip to Albania and defence secretary Grant Shapps also cancelled his plans.
The cabinet was summoned at 4pm and Mr Sunak stepped out an hour later, using the morning’ inflation figures as a springboard to promise a flourishing economy.
Top pollster Sir John Curtice said the prime minister was “either very brave or extremely foolhardy” to call the election as he said the contest was Labour’s to lose.
Using the election slogan Clear Plan, Bold Action, Secure Future, the prime minister used the Covid crisis and his actions as chancellor as the backdrop for his achievements in office.
He referenced the war in Ukraine but insisted his plan to restore economic stability was working with inflation “back to normal” and the country’s economy growing faster than France, Germany and Italy.
Struggling to be heard over an anti-Brexit protester blasting out Tony Blair’s 1997 election song It Can Only Get Better, Mr Sunak confirmed that he had spoken to the king who had agreed to dissolve parliament for an election on July 4.
He said: “I have stuck with the plan and always been honest with you even when it was difficult. The question now is how and who do you trust to turn that foundation into a secure future for you, your family and our country.”
Turning to Labour, he said: “On July 5, either Sir 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.
“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?
“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?”
Sir Keir responded by posting a video on social media saying: “It is time for change. Britain is a great and proud country. But under 14 years under the Tories nothing seems to work anymore.
“Public services crumbling, families weighed down by higher mortgage rates, antisocial behaviour on our high streets. The list goes on and on.”
Addressing the change in his party since Jeremy Corbyn, he insisted: “The Labour Party has changed. we are reconnected to our purpose to serve working people as you drive our country forward with economic stability at the forefront of everything.”
Parliament will be prorogued on Friday, the new parliament will be summoned on July 9 andstate opening will take place on July 17.
Current polling predicts a Labour landslide, as Sir Keir Starmer’s party sits around 20-points ahead in opinion polls.
More than 60 Conservative MPs have said they will stand down at the next general election, including former prime minister Theresa May.
Mr Sunak has struggled to maintain unity with his colleagues amidst five years of economic and party chaos and several were furious at the sudden election announcement.
With recess cancelled, one senior backbencher said: “This is utter madness. The Tory party is not ready, MPs are not ready. We need a break. This was the last chance for many to have a proper holiday.
“It shows that the PM does not give a s*** about backbenchers. I am not sure the party is ready yet to fight this election anyway.”
There had been signs last week that an early election could be in the offing when Rishi Sunak seemed to fire the gun on a long election campaign with a speech at Policy Exchange focussed on defence.
Later in the week, Sir Kir Starmer had his own launch with a rally to unveil a six point pledge card.
Mr Sunak became prime minister in October 2022 following the removal of his predecessor – Liz Truss – who was ousted after just 49 days in power following her disastrous mini-budget, which sent the pound plummeting.
Prior to Ms Truss, the leadership was held by Boris Johnson, whose authority was undermined by a string of Partygate scandals, prompting his resignation.
Mr Johnson won the 2019 general election with a sweeping majority of 80 seats, securing him a comfortable position in parliament.
But Mr Johnson’s time in power came to a sticky end in 2022 following revelations of parties in Downing Street during the pandemic and allegations of sexual misconduct against his chief whip Chris Pincher.