Sunak Announces July 4 General Election

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has formally announced that the UK general election will take place on July 4, bucking a prevailing view amongst observers that the election would be more likely to be held in Q3 or Q4.

• Sunak says: "I came to office, above all, to restore economic stability," noting the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine as drivers of energy prices and inflation.
• Sunak: "Economic stability is the bedrock of any future sucess, whether that is rising wages and good jobs, investement in our public services, or the defence of our country."
• Sunak says that, under his stewardship, the country has reached two milestones in delivering stability: "The economy is growing faster than anyone could have predicted," and "inflation is back to normal."
• According to Sunak, the inflation data "proves" that his plan is working and prices and mortage rates, "will ease."
• Sunak says: "This hard-earned economic stability was only even meant to be the beginning... the question now is how, and who, do you trust to turn that foundation into a secure future..."
• Sunak says the election will take place at the time when the wroold is at its, "most dangrous since the end of the Cold War," noting conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
• Sunak also name checks China, Islamic extremism, and hostile forces "weaponising immigration" as risks which should be considered by voters.