Frantic speculation that an election will be called today | LBC

General election fever has gripped Westminster as speculation growing that Rishi Sunak could reveal the exact date the nation will go to the polls. Despite Labour being way ahead in the polls there were growing rumours today that an announcement could come in the next few hours.
There was even speculation that the election could take place as early as July 4.
James O'Brien is joined by LBC's Political Editor Natasha Clark to analyse the developing rumours.
Listen to the full show on Global Player: app.af.globalplayer.com/Br0x/...
#JamesOBrien #RishiSunak #GeneralElection #Politics #News#LBC
LBC is the home of live debate around news and current affairs in the UK.
Join in the conversation and listen at www.lbc.co.uk/
Sign up to LBC’s weekly newsletter here: l-bc.co/signup

[@Traceva]

YAY! 19 Year Old Protégé deserves an immediate RAISE!!

[@OrtzGaming]

a raise and shoulder carry

[@timstatham3635]

4th of July. Independence from the Tories Day

[@crazyman8472]

USA! USA! USA! 🇺🇸

[@JelMain]

Bunch of aliens.

[@JelMain]

@@crazyman8472 KZbin added Translate into English

[@clarecollins2547]

😂😂

[@JohnnyCrash-ug8zt]

@@JelMainSpanish for United States is Estados Unidos (EU) probably for Spanish speakers? I apologise if I spelled the Spanish translation wrong.

[@wtf1965]

Never have the CONservatives back in!

[@jacquelinehayward3011]

Don't believe we will be any better off with labour in fact I believe it will be worse 😯

[@christophermonahan8571]

At least Labour won't be obsessed by small boats

[@johnross2924]

Ban the boats 😂​@@christophermonahan8571

[@exocet8834]

How should Labour be better?

[@AidasRusa]

Labour will finish off this country.

[@allip4226]

An election was long overdue 18 months ago! We need these right-wing grifters out as soon as possible so we can start repairing the damage they've done!

[@JelMain]

​@monktontrimble763 Only to Reform. I thought I was insulted by Boris' rise to power - then they thought I might join them. Just add glue.

[@1chiefg]

There should have been an election after Boris Johnson resigned. It's a disgusting lack of respect for the public that there wasn't one.

[@kanedNunable]

@monktontrimble763 lol. only if you are a simpleton.

[@christopherbradley7149]

@monktontrimble763that’s the lie they tell because the right wing politics of the last 14 years has ruined the country. To keep that gravy train running longer they have to convince you it wasn’t “right enough” or “the wrong kind of right”.

[@kevinadamson5768]

Left wing will be much worse. 😢

[@user-ol6rd7pl5t]

FFS call it now, the country desperately needs to see some light at the end of the tunnel of despair.

[@Sunshinez732]

The Conservatives totally botched it, true. But what light is it that you can possibly see at the end of the tunnel? Labour?

[@BESTGINGEREU]

​@@Sunshinez732absolutely Labour. Personally, I'd prefer Reform.

[@-doggy-6670]

It doesnt look like despair when you're a billionaire

[@sunseeker9581]

​@@BESTGINGEREUluckily only a few far right loons will vote reform

[@jhonson7079]

Ricky needs more time to sell the country off

[@alanwatterson2850]

Given what's left, that shouldn't take long.

[@kanedNunable]

@@alanwatterson2850 NHS still available for sale for tories.

[@grahamhollingworth8253]

Ricky who ?

[@alanwatterson2850]

@@kanedNunable Privatisation just works so well. What a shame Sunk won't have time to sell it before Independence Day.😁

[@alanwatterson2850]

@@grahamhollingworth8253 Sunk

[@iana6713]

We can only hope, but we've been disappointed so many times by them - why do I have the horrible feeling they're gonna spin this out until November? Get. Them. Out. Fourteen years of running the country into the gutter...

[@nigelhardy7218]

Expect an appearance of the podium later for some silly announcement about paper clips. Then to carry on spinning out the last days of Rome.

[@David-nd4to]

lets go, i never wanted em in to begin with

[@phillipliggins1549]

They have been truly awful but then again this is what you get with a flawed political voting system. Nothing will ever change. MSM run every Government and the Civil Service do the bidding or vice versa. No hope for any change. I will go to vote but intentionally spoil my paper as none of the parties remotely represent my political leaning.

[@user-ol6rd7pl5t]

🙏Please, please, please, please🙏

[@ThomasKing19933]

The country can't take much more of the Tories.

[@ineedmoreflavour1955]

Thomas King = spends his sad little life on KZbin, desperately just waiting for LBC to post a video so he can comment. Sad.

[@bigawdays5724]

Do you honestly think it’s just the Tories?

[@johnmoore9862]

Likewise yourself it seems.

[@nigelsmith2044]

Tories going nowhere. In power next five years

[@PH5221]

​@@nigelsmith2044 Dream on Nigel lad.

[@LeeHarrison-lz8tq]

That 19yr old just got a lift from James, a promotion, and Natasha fired. A big day for him lol

[@garygalt4146]

He could be in California for the summer. How nice for us.

[@robertholden12]

Do the right thing and call a general election let us decide who should be in government

[@Zopicloned]

You owe that 19 year old a beer 🍺

[@jungleboy1]

still polling nearly 20% - i.e second biggest party. How ?!?! Really ?!?!

[@nicks4934]

Get on with it!!! We are beyond fed up with this shower.

[@Dynasty1818]

And a month in to useless Labour you'll be whining that your bills haven't dropped, as you stupidly believe they'll improve things even though all those things are international issues outside of government control. Almost like bills from private companies aren't controlled by governments...

[@Toupret]

Believe what you will from someone self titled "nasty"

[@Toupret]

And needs to edit such a simple post.

[@Toupret]

Those are facts. Just look, then secondly consider their point.

[@moomin3744]

From one shower to another 😭

[@rossisempre86]

Come on, we all know the weasel will be hanging on for as long as possible hoping for a shift in the polls.

[@alanwatterson2850]

Or he may want to put an early end to his agony.

[@runlarryrun77]

Unless Modi told him he can't have his deal. That won't please wifey or papa in law. Plus I think the whole ICC situation is too much for him. Actual global politics that require experience & nuance. Not a situation that can be fixed by throwing money at it or fleecing money out of it. That kind of reality scares tories.

[@sreethoz]

​​​​@@runlarryrun77Why the racism? What has Modi got to do with anything? Global politics requires nuance?? Of the kind Trump brings? Or Starmer brings? Or should we say, Rayner brings through her council house sale? Very nuanced indeed.

[@alanwatterson2850]

@@runlarryrun77 Turns out you were right. 4 July, Independence from Tories Day.😁

[@KimWilliams-vz6sy]

I want sunak and the Tories out now

[@SevenEllen]

I wanted them out 40 years ago.

[@SulemanKhan-lv5zi]

@@SevenEllenThan what is the right answer…

[@craigshackleton1652]

Has he called the election this afternoon to deflect attention away from Paula Vennels first day at the Post Office Enquiry?

[@clarecollins2547]

1. Inflation has gone down 2. Before any other scandal comes to light!

[@kanedNunable]

nope. inflation isnt rising as much. we would need to see negative numbers for it to go down...

[@andrewelder8212]

Sorry!! Inflation has gone UP 2.3% on top of 11% in the previous year. Years of brainwashing the public to assume that when the rate of inflation reduces we pay less for our food, energy etc. The fact is that over the past 4 years our costs have gone UP by over 30%. This is baked into all future increases unless, of course, we have a similar period of deflation.

[@cup1966wow]

​@@kanedNunableNo it's correct. Prices coming down is a different statement to inflation is lower which is correct.

[@Solsbeary]

Bring it on.

[@MrLaking123]

I hope this happens but I doubt it sunak is a dictator and unelected

[@stephengraham5099]

We don't elect Prime Ministers in this country.

[@BESTGINGEREU]

Now what do you think?

[@naeedaafzal3055]

he is only a puppet

[@RichGwilliam]

"Why on earth would Rishi do this now?" - CONFIRMED

[@dave0n2wheels69]

Inflation is down because of the super-inflation of last year dropping out of the calculation, not because of anything the Tories will tell you!

[@hilaryjohnson2386]

Probably worried about the " small boat" numbers,because it seems the only thing he thinks about.

[@dacut6806]

Did he manage to stop that boat? I must have missed that!

[@natebrett9782]

Inflation going down but the damage is done… Food prices are not going down, they are just going up slower!!!

[@carlcassidy185]

A friend of mine said they've been told a "preliminary date" in July and September for the potential election as her workplace becomes a polling station. July makes most sense as its in summer recess, Sept election will disrupt the build up to conference Both main parties have launched their election campaigns, surely the election announcement is due

[@MauraNolan-ky7xr]

I don’t believe anything Sunaks lies or hints.

[@Cherrytune386]

Because he knows the public have had enough!

[@jamesjukebox2386]

Clinging on to power to the end, power corrupts all, especially the unelected inept billionaire! what a country.

[@jackryder-sw9rk]

July because half the country will be on holiday, Rishi Rich thinks that'll stop the working classes voting.

[@dianegardner3584]

I did think of that actually.I won’t be fortunate to be away,but very devious thoughts surrounding this date.

[@Ayeshteni]

Working class can't afford to be abroad on holiday...

[@johnrowland3105]

Nothing to do with the conclusion of the covid inquiry then ?.....Nor the Post Office scandal about to question, under oath, those who were in government but ARE still in Parliament ? To probably misquote the Campbell/Stewart podcast....."The rest is politics

[@JelMain]

Nor yet the TV Licensing graft, or the Royal Mail scam, or the Met, or anything else signed HM Treasury.

[@KidarWolf]

When I read your comment, their theme song started playing in my head. I may watch their channel too much.

[@JelMain]

Don't jump your guns. If Sunak goes to the polls, everything goes into the modernised versions of "Purdah" and all inchoate legislation falls.

[@cup1966wow]

Probably not to be honest. It's likely to do with a no confidence vote being close to required numbers.

[@johnburrows3385]

Nah , Sunak will hold on .

[@lesleyrobertson5465]

Lucrative job in California?

[@50_Pence]

@@lesleyrobertson5465 he dont need it does he, he just wants to lord it about and try to show people he not a pathetic little runt

[@Maggie_n_Mitch23]

@@50_Pence spell check ( runt) 😮

[@neilfoster7797]

Can't wait to see you carrying the intern tomorrow 😂

[@Theplaysthet]

Why would u call an election for the 4th of July..... Indeed. Oooops!

[@EPIPHANY544]

So mostly people be away on summer ☀️ holidays!! RATTATOILE SUNAK 🐀 🐁 🐭

[@user-fn2lu8ru3r]

Kick sunak the squatter out!

[@roostah3575]

Calling election in early July because Uni students’ term ends on 30th June! OBVS!

[@charlielynes]

because Steadfast Defender is actually a build up to deployment... 🤔

[@martintremethick8370]

Now that would be the best present to the country ever.

[@michaelashall4523]

Middle of the summer holidays! What a b’stard.

[@MrChiddler]

July 4. Isn’t the middle of anything

[@CARLIN4737]

Magic.

[@GarethMachin-rb2sg]

Now we know the GE date. Sunak is terrible at politics he got soaked. Things can only get wetter. Tory MP's are not prepared what joy.

[@Albanach-je1nk]

I don't think to many older people need their bums wiped, Hamishu .

[@paulreynolds7103]

Raise needed 🙌

[@johncraggs3658]

Lets hope people do the right thing and vote them out. A generation of young people have been let down. Time for the selfish older generation to think about others. And I know it's not all older folk but when you see a Tory rally there's always a load of the blue rinse brigade holding up their pitiful placards.

[@merhowiestfons8164]

19 years old sunak kick out

[@tyranitararmaldo]

Got a Tesco ad before this video, had the automatic checkout voice in it...anyone think it sounds like Sunak? Because it REALLY sounds like Sunak...

[@TheBlackcredo]

Things can only get better.

[@stevenclarke5606]

14 years of Absolute Misery! Get Ok Now

[@marknorville683]

Sick and disabled against the DWP and also the Conservatives.

[@cozza1996]

Oh this will be fun

[@lindawebb1906]

Vote Reform UK 🇬🇧

[@bigkdog5091]

I hope the 19 year old is right and this tory lackie Natasha has to resign. Bring back Theo

[@randomdaveUK]

The football is on. It'll be right next to a match day so a large chunk of the country doesn't watch the debates, doesn't care, and doesn't vote. Sunak is hoping that a lower turnout and slipping under the radar will help reduce losses

[@PSUK]

Hope your shoulders are strong enough James!

[@lesleyrobertson5465]

Rushi must have accepted a job in California lololololol and he’s off

[@rachelharris7915]

Get these Tories out please!!!! 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@roc7880]

foreigners with families are also working in the City, Oxbridge, make movies, develop new drugs, write novels, or perform in the theater.

[@user-hv7kt9zc3m]

So he basically waited till a couple weeks after the bi elections guys if he held i lt then it would of saved money but as usual rishi sunak takes the expensive route qhich is what his entire prime ministership

[@jack-adams1]

July the 4th Independence Day?

[@andrewjones-productions]

If Sunak has decided to hold a July election, there are two factors that have likely pushed him to bring it forward from what I think is his preferred date of November. These are the defections of Tory MPs to Labour and the change of First Minister in Scotland to someone less controversial that will likely in the event of a November election, would regain electorate support for the SNP. Continued support for the SNP (or any secessionist movement in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) is something that a member, especially the leader, of the Conservative & Unionist Party absolutely cannot stomach.

[@denisthomson8153]

The suspense is killing me…

[@nickjames6282]

Shadow chancellor mentioned yesterday that Tories will have to discuss paying 10bn for blood gate. One of many to avoid for them.

[@alundavies1016]

Because he won’t get the India deal through, and he is getting battered every day. If I had all that cash (an extra £100M or more since becoming PM), I would have bought myself a yacht and buggered off yonks ago. He knows it’s not going to get any better, he’s made a quick pile of cash, time to pull the plug. Or he is actually that thick-skinned that he is happy to keep everyone at boiling point until January!

[@EPIPHANY544]

Rattatoile Sunak's full family should be scrutinised for every penny they made off ..right after he loses this election!!!

[@alundavies1016]

@@EPIPHANY544 so many possible enquiries…

[@parametr]

Indian elections end on June 1st. Wait until then. Sunak's gotta get that India deal for InfoSys.

[@paultaylor7082]

Paula Vennells, once she's stopped crying, must be the luckiest person in Britain today. The reports of her tearful testimony today (howzat for a bit of alliteration?) regarding the Horizon scandal at the Post Office will be lucky to make page 11 of most papers on Thursday morning.

[@suzy7726]

Do you really think labour will be any better 😂

[@samim9533]

Probably not, but considering how much the tories have destroyed the country… why stick with them?

[@FredParky]

what makes you think they can be worse.

[@GM-qz9fo]

Getting out before Ai causes a massive problem to be blamed on Labour.

[@Dabmonger]

Nice for James to think of Scotland at the Euros.

[@alanjeffs-ep8lq]

The Rumour spreaders, this coming from James O,Brian 😂😂😂

[@rolandrothwell4840]

My concern is that in policy terms the difference between Labour and the Conservatives is minimal! That's not a genuine alternative for the electorate

[@djdoolittle1315]

The sooner the better. Let’s get on with it

[@Deano-vl4bv]

Things can only get wetter... can only get wetter

[@GV-xx7vh]

Calling it in July when most of the country are abroad for their holidays would increase the Tory chances.

[@pipins3616]

Why

[@paultaylor7082]

Most people don't go on holiday in early July, the date that the General Election has been called, as most children are still at school until the third week of July.

[@chrischarlescook]

All Sunak can do is choose whatever date that'll have the lowest turnout.

[@EPIPHANY544]

He is trying his best to cash on SUMMER HOLIDAYS as public will be away from voting !!!

[@miketemple876]

Well nothing from pmqs

[@allangilchrist5938]

Vennells at the Post Office enquiry will be thinking all her birthdays have come at once. General Election takes away all media scrutiny of her testimony.

[@paulmitchell3131]

The boy done well 🎉

[@kellyloulou81]

desperately holding on to a job that we didn't give you just class 😂😂😂😂

[@user-pw2bo5hg8t]

Because he’s all about boats and he knows one is plan to leave for Rwanda at least a week before the election date .

[@leaphchausew7277]

Hm. Very suspicious. Need to get these clowns out.

[@sandythorne358]

Lived in EU for 41 years, suddenly the tories give me a vote in the general election, 😂 didnt get one for the referendum but will happily be voting to get this lot out .

[@yossal2608]

Got that predition right, didn't he!

[@ronbrown9268]

Does anyone get the feeling Natasha finds James annoying?

[@jeffsimon9594]

Everyone does. But she is a pro and rises above it.

[@paulmcgrath3248]

Interesting

[@Mig29now]

Watch it... The tories are going to pull a fast one, i think.

[@Srindal4657]

Care for every bird as a measure of our society's moral proportion

[@nolslifegren]

Because Tory MPs were about to hoy him out

[@KarlBraveman]

Can the autumn statement happen during an election campaign ? I cannot see that the government would call an election before they have chance to bribe people with a few tax cuts?? Plus there is no sign yet of any planes to Rwanda.... October still looks most likely to me.

[@ianlightfoot9458]

Are we forecast a heatwave over this period? Are they hoping this will keep people away from polling stations and that they'd rather jump into cars to drive over crumbling roads, sit in queues of traffic to finally end up at a coastal location, where the sea and beaches are contaminated with raw sewage?? 🤔

[@Belfreyite]

Not to mention the crippling rip off prices in pubs, cafes and shops!

[@stuartbaines2843]

I can wait their Time will come soon enough 🖖

[@samuelwilliams8575]

Bye Natasha. Nice knowing you.

[@paulbird3235]

Could Richy defect today!

[@onenote6619]

If there was any likelihood that things would improve before the end of this year, it would make sense for Sunak to hang on. But there really is no likelihood of that, so what does he have to lose by calling the election? Once they are out of power, the Tories can immediately start blaming Labour for everything.

[@obijon7441]

When have the tories NOT blamed Labour for everything? Nothing is ever their own fault.

[@nigelsmith2044]

Not a chance

[@Traceva]

I suspect that your Protégé is right In July the majority of Uni Students will have gone home to their parents or will be on Holiday. Rishi Sunak is DESPERATE to disfranchise Students in their place of Study because he knows that they are more likely to Tactically Vote against the Tories I hope that enough Students will have the foresight to apply for a Postal Vote at their parent’s address or to plan their Holidays abroad around the Election The General Election will be the most consequential for the Younger Generations since the end of WW2

[@SPQSpartacus]

They finally realized things will only get worse for them the longer they wait. Maybe hoping people will be on holidays and not voting, especially the young.

[@HuplesCat]

It was not called

[@clivejones5561]

so july it is leaving the country in turmoil can things only get better hope the tories all go on the plane to Rwanda themselves