Sunak tells Britain to ‘choose its future’ as he launches election campaign whilst Starmer says ‘it’s time for change’

23 May 2024, 00:00

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer have launched their election campaigns after the Prime Minister announced a General Election will take place on July 4.

Mr Sunak addressed his first Tory campaign rally in east London, surrounded by cabinet ministers and Tory party supporters after making the announcement on Wednesday.

The crowd cheered as they entered the room before Home Secretary James Cleverly kicked off the rally with a speech.

Mr Cleverly then introduced the Prime Minister to a roar of applause from the audience.

The Prime Minister told the audience: "We have shown the country that it is only this Conservative Party that can deliver the economic stability, the foundation of our national success."

He also repeated warnings that Labour would take the country "back to square one", adding: "We know the only certainty with Labour is they will run out of money and raise your taxes."

Mr Sunak added: “Who do you trust to turn that foundation into a secure future for you and your family and our country?

“Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future and decide whether we want to build on the progress that we have made or risk going back to square one with no plan and no certainty.”

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Read more: Rishi Sunak confirms General Election will take place on July 4: what happens next?

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer said he was committing to running the party's General Election campaign, adding it was "a new spirit of service: country first, party second".

He said: “Our offer is to reset both our economy and our politics, so that they once again serve the interests of working people.

"We totally reject the Tory view that economic strength is somehow gifted from those at the top.

"Over the past 14 years - through all the crises we have had to face - sticking with that idea has left our country exposed, insecure and unable to unlock the potential of every community.

"But a vote for Labour is a vote to turn the page on all that. A vote for change.”

It came after a rain-soaked PM announced the election would take place on July 4.

Speaking on the steps of Downing Street, a drenched Rishi Sunak vowed he "will never leave the people of this country to face the darkest of days alone".

Mr Sunak declared it "the moment for Britain to choose its future" and said the election will take place at time "when the world is more dangerous than it has been since the end of the Cold War".

LIVE: Rishi Sunak announces General Election on July 4

He used his speech in Downing Street to attack the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, accusing him of "taking the easy way out".

"I have to say, if he was happy to abandon all the promises he made to become Labour leader once he got the job, how can you know that he won't do exactly the same thing if he were to become prime minister?" Mr Sunak said.

"If you don't have the conviction to stick to anything you say, if you don't have the courage to tell people what you want to do, and if you don't have a plan, how can you possibly be trusted to lead our country, especially at this most uncertain of times?"

'Power returns to you'

Reacting to Mr Sunak's General Election announcement, Sir Keir said a vote for Labour was a "vote for stability".

"Tonight the prime minister has finally announced the next general election, a moment the country needs and has been waiting for," Sir Keir said.

"And where by the force of our democracy, power returns to you. A chance to change for the better your future."It will feel like a long campaign, I'm sure of that.

"But no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about."

"It is a time for change," the Labour leader added.

The Prime Minister kicked off his election announcement by reflecting on the Covid pandemic, as well as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

He said: "In the last five years our country has fought through the most challenging times since the Second World War.

"As I stand here as your Prime Minister, I can't help but reflect that my first proper introduction to you was just over four years ago. I stood behind one of the podiums upstairs in the building behind me.

"I told you that we faced a generation-defining moment and that we as a society could not be judged by some Government action, but by the small acts of kindness we showed one another.

"You met that challenge and then some, and I had never been prouder to be British."

Andrew Marr's explores what Sunak's announcement means for Labour

Pointing to wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the Prime Minister added: "This election will take place at a time when the world is more dangerous than it has been since the end of the Cold War."

Read More: Rishi Sunak confirms General Election will take place on July 4: what happens next?

Mr Sunak concluded by saying only a Conservative government with him in charge would ensure economic stability and said he would "fight for every vote".

"Compare the optics of that to what we saw from Rishi Sunak at Number 10", says Ben Kentish

The Prime Minister confirmed Parliament will be prorogued on Friday, before being dissolved officially next Thursday, May 30.

After the election takes place on July 4, the new Parliament will meet again on Tuesday, July 9.

With six weeks to go until the election takes place, many will be looking to see whether any more veteran Tory MPs will be stepping down.

It comes after experienced government ministers Chris Heaton-Harris and James Heappey announced they would not stand.

The future of the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has been subject to intense speculation, with many suggesting he may stand down.

However, Mr Hunt said he will "fight hard for every vote" in his Surrey constituency.

"As today’s inflation news confirms, despite massive global shocks our country’s prospects have been transformed under Rishi’s leadership.

"It will be my honour to fight with every bone in my body to get him re-elected because we need a government that takes the difficult decisions necessary to unlock our nation’s extraordinary potential.

"I will also stand for election in Godalming and Ash where I am proud of my local record and excited that the new boundaries include the town I went to school and the village I grew up in.

"It is a highly marginal seat so I will fight hard for every single vote!"