Displaying items by tag: 4 July

Rishi Sunak surprised many by calling for a UK general election on 4 July, aiming to secure a fifth term for the Conservatives. Parliament will be suspended shortly, marking the start of a five-week campaign. Sunak's decision, earlier than anticipated, came after April's inflation fell to 2.3%, providing him with a narrative of successful governance. Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer seized the moment, positioning the election as a chance for change from Tory 'chaos.' SNP leader John Swinney and other opposition figures echoed similar sentiments. This election, the first since 2015 not requiring parliamentary approval for the date, will feature new constituency boundaries and require voter ID. It follows a period of political turbulence, marked by scandals, cabinet resignations, Boris Johnson's resignation, and Liz Truss’s brief tenure.