“Rishi Sunak gambled on an early general election as he declared that “now is the moment for Britain to choose its future”. Taking his own cabinet by surprise, the prime minister announced that the country would go to the polls on July 4. He said that he was the man to protect Britain in “the most uncertain of times”, vowing never to “leave the people of this country to face the darkest of days alone”. Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, promised “a politics that treads more lightly on people’s lives” as he argued that only a change of government could bring stability after 14 years of Conservative rule, when “nothing seems to work any more”… Sunak is trying to pull off a comeback unprecedented in modern political history against Labour’s 25-point lead.” – The Times
Analysis:
Sketches:
Yesterday:
“Tory rebel MPs are submitting letters of no confidence in Rishi Sunak, in a desperate attempt to prevent the snap general election. According to the report by GB News’ political editor, one senior Tory MP has warned that today’s announcement is “not irrevocable”, and suggested there is still time to launch a coup to oust Rishi Sunak. Earlier today it was reported Tory MPs were indeed submitting letters of no confidence to the 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady, before Mr Sunak’s Downing Street announcement. Asked about the report, a Tory rebel source confirmed that the analysis is legally true, but it’s up to MPs as to whether they detonate a political bomb underneath No. 10… A 1922 Committee source told the Express the plan is “lunacy and unpractical”.” – Daily Express
More:
Analysis:
>Today:
>Yesterday: Daniel Hannan’s column: The Cold War may be over, but NatCons and FreeCons still need each other
“Reform UK’s refusal to stand down candidates could help deliver victory to Sir Keir Starmer in the General Election. Richard Tice, who inherited the leadership of the insurgent party from Nigel Farage, hopes to stand a candidate in every seat. He has repeatedly ruled out reaching any ‘deals’ with the Tories, saying the Conservative Party ‘has to be punished for what it’s done to this country’. And last night he again indicated that he would not stand down his candidates, including recent recruit former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson, saying it was only his party ‘that can now save Britain’… But many Tories fear Reform could put a real dent in Rishi Sunak’s hopes of a return to Downing Street come the election.” – Daily Mail
“Labour would make Britain “a magnet for every illegal immigrant in Europe”, Rishi Sunak said on Wednesday as he launched the Tory election campaign. The Prime Minister attacked Sir Keir Starmer’s stance on border controls as he addressed a crowd of around 100 Conservative MPs and activists in East London. As senior members of the Cabinet watched on he unveiled a new slogan – Clear Plan, Bold Action, Secure Future – on which his party will fight the July 4 poll. Mr Sunak used the event at the Excel Centre, near London City Airport, to launch a series of attacks on Labour’s proposals as he looks to overturn a 20-point deficit. He reserved his most stinging assault for Sir Keir’s position on immigration, demonstrating how the Tories see the issue as a clear election dividing line.” – Daily Telegraph
“Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said on Wednesday he had changed his party and now wanted to change the country and “return Britain to the service of working people”. In a statement moments after Rishi Sunak’s announcement of a July 4 general election, Starmer promised a break from the “chaotic” Tory governments of recent years. Rivers were full of sewage, mortgages and food prices had gone “through the roof”, the NHS was struggling and borders were insecure, he said. “We will stop the chaos,” added Starmer. “A vote for Labour is a vote for stability — economic and political.” The mood in Starmer’s office was described as “cool, calm and collected” as he waited for Sunak to pull the trigger on the contest he has been preparing for ever since he became Labour leader in 2020.” – FT
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Comment:
>Yesterday: Alex Thomas in Comment: Truss would have had much better odds of seeing through her plans if she’d trusted the ‘deep state’
“SNP MPs will be “on their knees” despairing at the prospect of a July 4 general election, Labour and Tory strategists have said as they dismissed complaints about it being held in the midst of Scotland’s summer holidays… But the Tories and Labour rejected complaints that the Prime Minister’s choice of date disrespected Scotland, predicting it would not damage turnout as those away on holiday could apply for postal votes. They welcomed the prospect of a summer election, saying they were “ready to go” with their candidates, target seats, messaging and financing in place. In contrast, they said the SNP is in disarray and has little funding for a campaign, with a poll this week showing the Nationalists could win only 11 seats compared with 48 in the 2019 election.” – Daily Telegraph
>Yesterday: Lee Reynolds in Comment: Minister’s cannot wash their hands of the Prime Minister’s Windsor Framework
“Having taken a lot of heat from ministers and backbench MPs for ignoring the armed forces in March, Downing Street suddenly announced to great fanfare a boost to defence spending. It seemed rushed – the Treasury’s interpretations of the figures didn’t even line up – but the timing was also odd. If the government was planning a pre-election fiscal event, that would surely be the time to try to wrongfoot Labour with more cash for the troops. Why take all the flak, and then launch it two months’ later? On the organisational side, there remain about 150 constituencies where no Conservative candidate has been selected – not the conduct of a party secretly putting itself on a war footing. By last week, the evidence was there for those (not I) with the courage to call it.” – The Guardian
Editorial:
“Government plans to launch a mass sale of NatWest shares to the public have been thrown into doubt by an earlier than expected general election. Rishi Sunak, the prime minister, on Wednesday called an election for July 4, kicking off a period of “heightened sensitivity”, during which the government and civil servants must exercise caution about making decisions that could affect the election campaign. The move is likely to prevent the Treasury from launching a highly anticipated retail share sale of the government-backed bank, which was rescued by the last Labour government in a £46bn bailout at the height of the financial crisis. Jeremy Hunt had pledged to launch the mass campaign as early as this summer as part of a drive to create a “new generation of retail investors” ahead of an expected general election in the autumn.” – FT
>Yesterday: Wilfred Aspinall in Comment: Conservative councillors must have the confidence to establish Investment Zones
“Post Office campaigner Alan Bates revealed last night the Metropolitan Police is looking “quite seriously” at prosecuting those responsible for the scandal as former CEO Paula Vennells broke down in tears recounting her role. Mr Bates said he met with “senior staff” at the Met today morning as the former Post Office boss began giving evidence to the packed Horizon IT inquiry. He revealed he was given “reassurances” by the police that senior executives involved in the scandal would be held “properly” to account… Mr Bates, 70, said he had “no sympathy” for Ms Vennells after she twice broke down in tears while giving evidence and dismissed her account as “figure-skating on the head of a pin”. He added that Ms Vennells’ repeated and fulsome apologies during her evidence were “just words”.” – Daily Express
More:
Sketch:
Comment:
>Yesterday:
“The Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay received a standing ovation as he returned to the House of Commons for the first time since losing all his limbs to sepsis. His wife, Kati, and Olivia, their four-year-old daughter who turns five on Thursday, watched from the public gallery as the Conservative MP for South Thanet, 57, joined his peers for the first time since September in time for prime minister’s questions. Sir Lindsay Hoyle, welcomed Mackinlay’s return, prompting more cheers from MPs. The Speaker described Mackinlay as “the man of the moment”. As MPs broke out again in applause, Hoyle joked that it was the only time he would “allow clapping” in the chamber. Rishi Sunak said he was “in awe” of Mackinlay’s “incredible resilience” as he welcomed the MP back.” – The Times
Comment:
>Yesterday: ToryDiary: Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Miraculous return of Mackinlay the Bionic MP steals the show
“To the surprise of many, the Conservative Environment Network named their favourite MP as… Chris Grayling. Despite not being renowned for his action on the environment, the former Cabinet minister was chosen as parliamentarian of the year by the network, which said it was honouring his efforts to tackle deforestation internationally and restore the UK’s vital wildlife habitats. His particular passion was hedgehogs, and he brought their plight to parliament’s attention on several occasions. He was made a hedgehog “species champion” in an initiative led by the RSPB. Grayling told the Guardian one of his proudest achievements was securing, from the backbenches, a planning clause that should help hedgehogs.” – The Guardian