In a move that has surprised the nation almost as much as the weather turning out to be exactly what was forecast, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced a general election for July 4. Yes, that’s right, the date has not only been plucked with all the spontaneity of a last-minute dinner party but also coincides with America’s Independence Day, presumably in the hope we might finally be free from something, such as political predictability or perhaps low voter enthusiasm.
Speaking from a decidedly rain-splattered Downing Street, Sunak delivered his announcement with the enthusiasm of a man unveiling a medium-sized sandwich. Standing in the drizzle, without an umbrella and possibly without the full backing of his party, the Prime Minister declared that now is the “moment for Britain to choose its future.” The choice in question being which set of slogans, economic policies and party leaders they would least mind seeing on their television screens for the next five years.
The speech had all the hallmarks of a man trying to wrestle excitement from inevitability. Mr Sunak repeatedly referred to stability, strong leadership and the dangers of Labour, which is political code for “please do not look at the last 14 years too closely.” Naturally, Labour leader Keir Starmer responded with a campaign-ready blend of cautious optimism and mild condescension, declaring the announcement a “chance to change Britain” which, given recent trends, is something voters will interpret either as a hopeful promise or a veiled threat.
The timing of this electoral surprise has raised eyebrows even among those who have long since raised the white flag on British politics. With the economy not exactly booming and even the polls looking like they’ve been written by the opposition, many are wondering why Sunak has chosen the hottest part of the year to risk a potential political meltdown. Speculation ranges from internal rebellion within the Conservative Party to a belief that July might be before interest rates rise again or before Nigel Farage remembers he was planning to launch a comeback.
Meanwhile the British public, increasingly numb to the concept of shared national events that don’t involve queueing or royal scandals, responded to the news in typical fashion. Social media lit up briefly with memes, groans and half-hearted puns, the digital equivalent of a national sigh followed by putting the kettle on.
July 4 is now marked on the calendar as not just the day Americans celebrate shaking off British rule but the day Brits may or may not try to shake off their current government. It remains to be seen whether voters turn out in droves or simply turn over in bed.
At least the forecast calls for clear skies, which is more than can be said for political clarity.