In A Very British Moment, The Prime Minister Called An Election Soaked By Rain While An Opposition Song Blasted
The Conservative Party, which has been in power since 2010, is widely expected to lose to the opposition Labour Party in the next general election, according to opinion polls.
In a very British moment, the UK’s prime minister Rishi Sunak called an early general election – which he is widely expected to lose – while rain poured down on him and the opposition’s party anthem, “Things Can Only Get Better”, blared over him.
General elections in the UK are held every five years, and Sunak had to call them before the end of December and hold them by January 2025 at the latest.
However, Sunak, the leader of the Conservative Party, announced on Wednesday May 22 that the next general election would be held on July 4, which is earlier than expected.
“Over the next few weeks, I will fight for every vote. I will earn your trust and I will prove to you that only a Conservative government led by me will not put our hard-earned economic stability at risk,” Sunak said during the press conference.
The Conservative Party, which has been in power since 2010, is widely expected to lose to the opposition Labour Party in the next general election, according to opinion polls.
If that happens, it would be the first time in 14 years the UK has a government led by the center-left Labour Party under leader Keir Starmer.
Video of Sunak’s announcement shows him drenched in rain while his speech is drowned out by “Things Can Only Get Better” by Northern Irish band D:Ream, a song that was the official anthem of the Labour Party’s landslide victory in 1997.
Steve Bray, a protester and anti-Brexit campaigner, took responsibility for playing the song during Sunak’s speech.
“I thought about what would be the best trolling tune if he announced the election,” Bray told PA News Agency. “And of course, it had to be 'Things Can Only Get Better'.”
Following the announcement, all members of parliament have to step down on May 30, when parliament will be dissolved.
And on July 4th, UK and Irish resident citizens aged 18 or above will vote for a member of parliament for the UK's lower house, the House of Commons.
The party with the most seats in the House of Commons will then form a new government and select a prime minister.
Surveys are showing that the left-wing Labour party is leading, with 44% of respondents saying they would vote for them.
Polls have also revealed that people's concerns include the housing crisis, immigration and asylum, health, and the economy.
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