Yesterday evening, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made the announcement that the UK would have a General Election in July.
As Wednesday developed, the rumour mill began turning faster, until it was confirmed in an announcement at 5pm that the 2024 General Election would be held on Thursday 4th July. The Prime Minister had been rather coy about the potential date of the election, even at yesterday’s Prime Minister’s Questions, with the only clues to when it would be held being that it would not come in the first half of the year.
In a rain-soaked speech in front of Number 10, the Prime Minister told the public:
“Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future. To decide whether we want to build on the progress we have made or risk going back to square one with no plan and no certainty.
“Earlier I spoke with His Majesty the King to request the dissolution of parliament. The King has granted this request, and we will have a general election on the 4th July.”
This is what this election is all about 👇 pic.twitter.com/MgPIsPNUPA
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) May 23, 2024
The progress that Sunak referred to is the fact that inflation has returned to normal levels, as well as the fact that, according to the Prime Minister, the UK’s economy is growing faster than those of France, Germany, and the United States. This could signify the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the cost of living crisis that has gripped the nation for the last few years.
It wasn’t just the Conservative leader that touched on the fact that Britain now has a chance to decide its future. Fourteen years since the last Labour Prime Minister, it looks like the current opposition is set to make the election more difficult for the Conservatives than previous years. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer responded to the announcement, saying:
“Tonight the Prime Minister has finally announced the next General Election.
“A moment the country needs – and has been waiting for. And where, by the force our democracy power returns to you. A chance to change for the better. Your future. Your community. Your country.”
Change. pic.twitter.com/BHlhIkS6XW
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 23, 2024
As part of his speech, Starmer continued to outline the issues that the Labour Party will focus on, with these being to ‘stop the chaos’, offer a reset when it comes to the economy and politics, and thirdly to ‘rebuild Britain’ by delivering economic stability, cutting NHS waiting times and harnessing Great British Energy.
A chance for change in government is also an opportunity for the public sector to set out its demands for a potential incoming government, regardless of which party ends up with the keys to Number 10 Downing Street, with the wide ranging issues that have plagued the sector likely to be a hot topic of conversation. Chair of the Local Government Association, Cllr Shaun Davies, commented on the announcement of the election:
“This election comes at a pivotal time for the country. Securing the future of our public services must be front and centre of all political party manifestos.
“As we lead up to July 4th, the LGA will be making the case that, with the right powers and adequate long-term funding, it is councils who can provide the answers to so many of the issues any incoming government will face.
“This includes building more affordable homes, boosting economic growth, improving support for children, vulnerable adults and older people, and creating a better future for everyone.”
Make sure you follow Public Sector Executive for all of the most important General Election updates and coverage, covering some of the most important issues across the UK public sector.
Image credit: iStock
Video Credit: @RishiSunak / @Keir_Starmer
