Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leaves Downing Street in London, Britain, May 22, 2024.
Hollie Adams | Reuters
LONDON – U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday called for a general election to take place on July 4, after economic data showed a fall inflation near the British central bank’s 2% target earlier in the day.
“Earlier today I spoke with his majesty the King to ask for the dissolution of Parliament. The King has granted this request, and we will have a general election on the 4th of July.” said Sunak, speaking during a news conference outside Downing Street.
Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that U.K. inflation dropped to 2.3% in April earlier on Wednesday morning.
Sunak’s ruling Conservative Party had been hoping for signs of an improving economic environment, as it lags in the polls ahead of the national election.
“Economic stability is the bedrock of any future success,” said Sunak. “And because of our collective sacrifice and your hard work, we have reached two major milestones in delivering that stability.”
He qualified that the U.K. economy is now growing faster than anyone expected.
“Uncertain times call for a clear plan and bold action,” said Sunak, referencing the ongoing war in Ukraine. “I’m guided by doing what is right for our country, not what is easy.”
Sunak, who has held the post of prime minister since October 2022, pledged to earn the the trust of the British people.
Labor party leader Keir Starmer circulated a campaign video on social media platform X urging poll goers to vote for his party, which pledges “to serve working people as you drive our country forward, with economic stability at the forefront of everything we do.”
“People across the UK are crying out for change, and this election is finally our chance to make it happen,” Liberal Democrats Party leader Ed Davey said on X.
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