Why Rishi Sunak really went for snap general election

Campaigning is underway after Rishi Sunak’s shock decision to call a snap general election - and the decision by Nigel Farage not to stand as a candidate for his Reform UK party might play to his favour - yet many are still puzzled by his decision.
(Subscribe: bit.ly/C4_News_Subscribe)
The Conservatives are twenty points behind in the polls and even the prime minister recently admitted he’s unlikely to win. So why go now? And why in the rain? Does he have something up his sleeve? He says Labour don't have a plan. Do they? What are the issues, and who are the people that will decide this election?
To talk about all this and more on The Political Fourcast we’re joined by Conservative MP and former Levelling Up minister Dehenna Davison, Labour’s former Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw and pollster Luke Tryl.
Produced by Silvia Maresca, Calum Fraser, Shaheen Sattar, Rob Thompson and Nick Jackson.
-------
Get more news at our site - www.channel4.com/news/
Follow us:
Facebook - / channel4news
Twitter - / channel4news
TikTok - / c4news
Instagram - / channel4news

[@onenote6619]

'Stupid for who?' would be my question. A lot of Tory MPs are going to be fuming, but a lot of Tory MPs were planning to stick a knife in Sunak's back. He gets to leave as a Prime Minister and not a pincushion. It's not like there is any loyalty left within the Tory party, if there ever was any.

[@frasercook5823]

I think its the smartest things he's done and admitted defeat

[@fjdstudios4485]

I believe he knew there are rebels and alot of them so he wants to teach them a big lesson

[@cybergornstartrooper2157]

He likely thinks this is the only way to keep his party together

[@ciarangrennan]

Absolutely, he doesn't need them or the post politics lecture circuit for that matter. He's sticking it to them and his family business has probably gained as much as they could from it anyway

[@lakelife8757]

Davos or Westminster Keir?

[@Manu-Official]

Rishi ''The Plan☂'' Sunak jumped before he got pushed with letters of no confidence.

[@user-bg2nj5fn4m]

That's interesting, because various political journos supposedly "in the know" have been reporting that the threshold wasn't close to being crossed at the time of the declaration. Only Graham Brady would know.

[@CashelOConnolly]

@@user-bg2nj5fn4mAndrea Leadson M.P disagrees with you. Forgive me for pointing this out but she knows more about her colleagues than you do! #Labour4Goverment😊

[@Manu-Official]

@@user-bg2nj5fn4m I have no doubt about it. Sunak shows the behaviour of a petulant child who is a complete sore loser (his Christmas video showed just that). He came up with 5 failed pledges then bet the house on small boats, that plan is now failed. On a personal level, he knows he's losing the election, and calls it just in time to pack his bags and leave to the USA, so his daughters can start the new school year in the school he gave a very large donation to.

[@user-bg2nj5fn4m]

@@CashelOConnolly What did she say, and where?

[@DarrenJamiesonJamieson]

Why are you lying about my country again (which you obviously couldn't care less about): They are holding a snap election to stop it changing its vote so that they can still push they're policies through via The Internet. God you people are stupid!

[@Coomberg]

California school year starts in Aug/Sept and needs the family settled by then.

[@Darren-pq5oc]

I don't blame him, the uk is a dump

[@lorraine7960]

@@Darren-pq5oc Well it is now that the Tories have drained it of everything good.

[@Darren-pq5oc]

@@lorraine7960 the uk never had anything that was good, most of the people in it. live in dream world where they think it's tea with the vicar, cricket on the village green then home to watch come dancing

[@baldr2510]

@@Darren-pq5oc That is basically how it was in my village until a few years ago, every year it gets worse.

[@Darren-pq5oc]

@baldr2510 there is a lot of stupid people in this country, I had one telling me that benefits was only 1% of gov spending and its immigrants that is taking all the money

[@user-ol6rd7pl5t]

It's not the first stupid decision that Tories have made in the last 14 years by far but hopefully it will be one of their last decisions they make in government, stupid or otherwise for a very, very long time.

[@hbt739]

I think the buget is gone, it would explain why they arent paying the victims of the blood and the post office scandals

[@GG-hu9dn]

There is no place for tories in the 21st century??

[@dang2651]

It might be the best decision the Tories have made for the country in a long time. Just not great for them.

[@dang2651]

​@@GG-hu9dnof course there is. But after so long, it's time for a real election. The Brexit years were just B.S. if we are to be honest about it.

[@redemptivepete]

​​@@hbt739Yes ...... borrowiing figures for April up again, no money to cut NI any further and the butcher's bill (literally) to slaughter public services to pay for existing cuts not sorted! Inflation will stick where it is at best and boats still coming! The plan is working!!!😂!

[@Vincegpz500]

How nice to hear two politicians not just parroting and more reasonably responding to questions. Is it because they're leaving and not worried about what the whips say?

[@layla77uk]

Very refreshing

[@discostoo]

Exactly that.

[@relfyem]

I agree. And for me, having never voted Tory and never expecting to ever vote Tory - a Tory sounding like a grown-up rather than a chimpanzee's tea party was very odd. Made me actually think I could vote for them if all of them were like that!

[@222rich]

pointless biased load of cobblers. The real reason was the perceived threat of Nigel Farage.

[@oneoflokis]

​@@relfyem😂

[@EarthCitizen3]

From across The Pond, I saw a PM whose staff can't find an umbrella- in England on a rainy day- and a PM who doesn't know to get out of the rain. Talk about out of touch! 🤣

[@johncook802]

Spent a few million recently on a press room similar to that in White House. Never use it. And it should of been. The wally without a brolly.

[@yourmum5576]

@@johncook802probably didn’t even make it just took the money 😂

[@ponypong261]

A tory making a stupid decision... who would have thought it?

[@youknow6470]

It’s ok . Rishi is an Indian not a black . The country is in good hands

[@ponypong261]

@youknow6470 odd lauange, but is the sort of thing tory supporters role out, so I guess you're a fan of the current shambles. You're intititeled to you view, but take your racists views elsewhere.

[@youknow6470]

@@ponypong261 u speaks cow 🐄 pooh mate

[@SpectacularDisaster]

Tory MPs spent a year threatening to topple Sunik are surprised that he just called an election.

[@jamessmythe1891]

Can they still replace lil Sunak before the election? According to some polls Labour stand to gain around 166 seats on swing of 16.6%.

[@SpectacularDisaster]

@TheEconomicsTeller And no other Tory leader would have changed that. Sunak was kinda like Karl Donitz. Got the top seat when the government was clearly doomed.

[@SpectacularDisaster]

@jamessmythe1891 They're are trying to, but the King has already given royal consent so it's unlikely to work. Even if they did topple Sunak, it would do even further damage to the Torys as they have to legally call an election within less than a year anyways.

[@user-sd3ik9rt6d]

Sunak cant figure out its raining by looking out of the window.

[@marietomkinson5910]

How come you lot didn't no, most of the country knew it was Coming. Marie from the UK 🇬🇧❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@richardruff8712]

It was just AMAZINGLY bad timing, as, when he walked out into the Street, it was just still dry.... If he had delayed walking out by just ONE minute, he could, at least, have worn a coat, or hold an umbrella... Guess it is another symbol of the last days of the Tory empire, sinking without trace....

[@user-sd3ik9rt6d]

@@richardruff8712 cool story

[@PerriBelcourt]

And you make fun of Putin and China and Russia economy is better than the European countries and oil and gas and food products and minerals going to China and Ukraine doesn't have any people to fight the Russian and big business buying Ukraine farm land and Russia economy is growing 😊

[@LeoMumford]

Honestly he got in, made billions, and then left... that was, unfortunately, his plan all along and it seems actually pretty clever.

[@thewaronu8842]

That's the plan of all these WEF shills

[@ldm3027]

Davison is an ultra brexiteer who wanted to give Farage a peerage and to lower UK food standards to get a post brexit trade deal with the US, to the detriment of consumers and farmers. Now she is disappearing without a word of apology because she finds politics just too hard. An appalling demonstration of self regard that the hard right is steeped in

[@dennismay1023]

Aye, and never uses one word when she can get twenty in.

[@oneoflokis]

💯

[@marksavage1108]

Another ignorant repeating others lies, the UK always had higher standards than the eec/eu. better working and food standards from before we voted to stay in 1975. the UK `Kite standard` always excelled in comparison. wasn't it eu food standards that gave us the Horsemeat sold as beef, yeah such wonderful standards erh. You talk about detriment to consumers and ignore the eu external tariffs policy.

[@PaulSmith-pr7pv]

Brilliant

[@ilokivi]

@@marksavage1108 The EU did not inflict foot and mouth disease or BSE on the UK. The customs union was designed to prevent goods which don't satisfy EU standards from entering the single market and doing harm to producers and consumers. The EU also improved working conditions, including the Working Time Directive implemented in the UK by Parliament.

[@dwood37]

Come on. This is not that complicated. He knows he’s going to lose and his bags are already packed to move permanently to Santa Monica, California. He can get his kids enrolled in school prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year in the fall. Slow curtain. The End.

[@bereal6590]

Truth!

[@jirom71]

When you actually leveled up nothing I’m not sure that being the former leveling up minister is something to brag about.

[@shaun906]

they levelled up the roads in the south with the northern powerhouse funds!

[@Jacam781]

'Levelling up' is utter pretense. Marketing. The gaps are widening, not narrowing. Just like the drip down economy. You eventually realise that the drips are someone shaking their wet knob on you.

[@whitelines3097]

I think Sunak knows that nobody can be sent to Rwanda in July

[@chrispalmer7893]

I think almost everyone knows that. I think Rishi also knows that the policy can't possibly work - going now lets him pretend it could have. Put another way, flying people to Rwanda probably doesn't get him any votes, but being unable to would probably cost him votes because it would be yet another way he looks ineffective.

[@quintuscrinis8032]

​@youknow6470 one person who was paid thousands to agree to it. The policy was absolutely stupid in the first place.

[@chrispalmer7893]

@@youknow6470 A couple of people went voluntarily (professionally might be a better words as we paid them to go) and it was not part of the Rwanda policy. No planes have flown under that policy, and the PM has confirmed today that none will before the election (which means none will at all because Labour are pretty clear that they will end it). Hundreds of millions spent already, all in pursuit of a policy which, if implemented, would have caused misery for the few people directly affected and which had zero chance of making any impact on the problem it was supposedly designed to solve (a problem which, of itself, is essentially just a distraction as the small boats account for a very small proportion of total immigration to the UK). The likes of Truss, Braverman and Johnson are arguably sufficiently detached from reality to have genuinely believed the bullshit promised by the policy, but we know that those currently responsible for it know just how futile the whole thing is because they are all on the record as having said so. Sunak was very clear that it was both expensive and ineffective, but he's so lacking in political nous he somehow managed to work himself into a situation where it would be a threat to his credibility for the policy to be dropped.

[@allip4226]

@@youknow6470Yeah, three Home Secretaries and one bloke we paid to go. Absolute bargain for £300m! 🤡

[@youknow6470]

@@chrispalmer7893 well said

[@Shari-M12]

He got a job offer in California to start in July so……

[@juliewake4585]

Nice one. You may well be right.

[@aptreadwell]

School year in California starts in August. He's thinking of his kids.

[@davesy6969]

He doesn't need a job, the non dom tax policy that Jeremy Hunt pinched from Labour has so many loopholes that the Sunaks can avoid £250 million in uk taxes.

[@piccalillipit9211]

@@aptreadwell YEP - 14th August is the start date for private schools in California

[@cybergornstartrooper2157]

@@piccalillipit9211when is the application cut off - I bet it’s 5/6th of July

[@michaelrch]

The best explanation I have heard is just that Sunak is bored with everyone hating him so he's off to Santa Monica for the summer.

[@FranzBieberkopf]

The polling guy was interesting when he spoke about Starmer's appeal to stabilise things and make the chaos go away. I think a large part of Sunak's appeal originally was that he was a boring technocrat, the antidote to the lunacy of BloJo and the imbecility of The Lettuce. No-one factored in the sheer incompetence of Sunak, and the fratricidal chaos of the Conservative backbenchers. Starmer's calmness does have an appeal.

[@sonny2dap]

To an extent yes but the public is fickle and very often there is a major disconnect between the public and the chattering classes, personal charisma often plays an outsized role in determining votes, Labour really should have learnt this, like him or not Blair presented well especially early in his career, Cameron vs Clegg vs Brown all equally uninspiring, Cameron Vs Ed Milliband, Cameron was an easy choice for the general public when policy wise it's likely Milibands were more beneficial to the average man, I hold the view that if that contest had been Cameron vs David Milliband, with David Milliband pursuing the same policies as his brother you'd never have even had 14 years of Tories at this point.

[@joecurran2811]

The Lettuce 😂

[@bereal6590]

If people grew up and learnt policy and politics we wouldn't keep getting bad leaders based on simply how they present! Give me meh every day!

[@thewaronu8842]

Sunak is certainly a technocrat, but it doesn't get any more (pluto) technocratic than the Trilateral Commission's man Starmer

[@JamJam0189]

@@sonny2dap Maybe but Ed was classed as soft left and attacked bad businesses were as David was Blair MK2, Corbyn was a reaction to failures of Blair in Iraq and inequality. David would still of been attacked by The Sun and Mail as much as Ed I think, slightly better speaker yes, but to win, the main reason the Conservatives won in 2015 was the lib dems vote collapsed. Cameron expected hung parliament and no EU vote. I think Corbyn will win in his seat and Diana Abbot will.

[@T.O.A.D.U.K]

All the Tories standing down at this election were simply trying to avoid a Portillo moment.

[@FontaineDerby]

It was the last day that Rishi Sunk could announce an election before the Summer Recess.

[@brucevair-turnbull8082]

'Sunk' indeed.

[@TimoDyer]

Rishi sunk. :Gone' on the fourth of july..

[@sama3033]

I'd settle for a three-word Labour plan; We're Not Tories.

[@martinspencer1618]

"We're not Tories. We want higher taxes, faster population replacement, Net Zero sooner, even more restrictions on speech, de jure official religion status for Islam and much more QWERTYUIOP evil. And don't forget that we wanted much harsher lockdowns."

[@HuplesCat]

Four words 😂

[@quintuscrinis8032]

To be fair that is all they currently have. It's been their policy for the last 15 years.

[@paulgibbon5991]

@@quintuscrinis8032 It's all they need. All they have to do is not be crazy, greedy mini-Trumps.

[@quintuscrinis8032]

@@paulgibbon5991 it might be all they need to win this election, but it is far below what the country needs!! The current Labour Party looks a lot like the Liberal Party of 1906!

[@natsdaley9615]

Rishi you didnt even plan for an umbrella ☔️

[@susannamarker2582]

A real leader is not afraid of a bit of rain. Two years ago, inflation was in double digits, now 2.4%. That"s Rishi Sunak. As for Kier Starmer would only over-tax companies, do too much welfare and chuck out the Lords in favour of some german-style senate. No thanks, we're not Germans.

[@mrwidestrides4802]

He didn’t know how to use it.

[@billkingston4402]

Wolly with no brolly

[@tonyatthebeach]

I hate the Tories but the alternative is having someone standing next to you holding an umbrella which is not seen as good PR because it's like having a butler or you're not man enough to take a few drops of rain

[@philipprideaux5226]

Stay indoors, as an idea.

[@jimk8930]

😂Obviously they will be angry. They take (around) £10.000 a month. Loosing £50.000 (if the election was to take place when supposed to be) Will make anybody been pissed off.

[@senanur1983]

It is around £6000 after taxes and NI

[@hammer3721]

​@@senanur1983As if £6000 is not a fortune for the average household...

[@blazzz13]

@@senanur1983 You sure they haven't found a clever way to dodge tax?

[@hosephanerothe1440]

​@@senanur1983 with full expenses

[@shaf3006]

Sunak don't care about money, he's emotional

[@ET76001]

Total nonsense to say by the woman that Richi has got in this role because he genuinely wanted to make things better. Absolutely not - pure ego. Nothing else - as he has got no connection with real life and how people actually live. What a joke this woman is really

[@backgammonbacon]

She's a Tory MP what did you expect her to say?

[@michaelwoolley7034]

Are you a mind reader, or a cynic?

[@iseeulysses]

It's mainstream media - they sell a narrative to thick people.

[@thewaronu8842]

He wants to make things better right enough, just not for us useless eater proles

[@ConradAinger]

Sunak knows what is going to happen on the international scene this summer. He intends to be elsewhere...

[@pwood6532]

What are you referring to? The world is such a mess right now...

[@noeldunford4955]

Look at Grenfell disaster I've not forgotten about that

[@fuckbankers]

72

[@simony2801]

I have

[@marksavage1108]

Look at the child rape squad grooming gangs,they want us all to forget about that.

[@veronicamoody3981]

Thank you. Please keep reminding people about Conservatives' disasters. They seem to have forgotten.

[@noeldunford4955]

@@veronicamoody3981 good day Veronica Tories sweep everything under the carpet thinking we forget thank you for your reply

[@Isambardify]

I know these two are stepping down but it's SO good to see MPs debate where they presumably strongly disagree on policy but treat each other like respected colleagues.

[@peterlaidler3895]

Why on earth should Dehenna Davison care...she's chucking her hand in anyway? Everyone thinks this is a shoe in for Labour. but stranger things have happened. The biggest worry, is voter complacency

[@kevinadamson5768]

Is she standing down, she's the MP for my constituency?

[@deja-view1017]

Same for Ben Bradshaw

[@peterlaidler3895]

@@kevinadamson5768 She definitely is Kevin. Made the announcement over a year ago after one of the many disagreements within her party and an ever increasing number of offensive comments on social media.

[@kevinadamson5768]

@@peterlaidler3895 wonder if labour take it back? She did a good job apparently.

[@shaun906]

And the shy tory, they are all disgusted with the tories when being asked their opinion for the polls, then vote tory in the polling station.

[@hanselmansell7555]

He was only ever trying to look relevant to his in-laws. That's it.

[@hannofranz7973]

I find the reactions somehow astonishing. There has been an overwhelming desire for being called a snap election for more than half a year already and now as they are called, the reaction is bewilderment. It makes more sense to me to come to the conclusion that the decision was just overdue.

[@jstelzner]

It's simple there's nothing left to loot!

[@KarlBraveman]

Sunak is Toast. Stale. Soggy. Toast.

[@susannamarker2582]

I will be voting Conservative. Rishi has done a very good job on inflation and Ukraine. Starmer would only over-tax firms, do too much welfare and chuck out the Lords in favour of some german-style senate. No thanks, we're not Germans.

[@quintuscrinis8032]

Which is kind of a shame because of the 3 PMs this parliament has had, he is the best by a very long way.

[@The_Green_Man_OAP]

This isn't about race, it's about MONEY 🤑 Sunak, the tories, labour, the SNP & other incumbents have ALL been MILKING THE TAX SYSTEM 🕴️💼🍼🇬🇧

[@jamesmaybrick2001]

@@quintuscrinis8032 Thats a hugely low bar to stumble over.

[@BadByte]

He is just looking forward to moving to California

[@Traceva]

Rishi Sunak wrong-footed his own Party NOT the Labour Party. Labour are DELIGHTED

[@thewaronu8842]

They're all laughing about it in the bar. WEF WWE

[@AppleTango16]

This podcast is so refreshing. People with different views either agreeing, or when they don’t agree, they come back with real, polite, mature responses. May it long continue.

[@tarquinmerryweather4929]

Sunak doesn't have a plan and he forgot to buy an umbrella!

[@politicallyincorrect2564]

It is scary as to why he had to take this decision. I am afraid that really bad times are coming.

[@grahamturner1290]

Sunak : the ultimate Tory Wet. 💧🌨️

[@elainethomas3117]

😂😂😂

[@konarider1215]

If only he actually was a tory

[@hastekulvaati9681]

@@konarider1215 “If only he was actually a Tory” Ok. I’ll bite. Why is he not a Tory?

[@anindyamajumdar4088]

Yes he was set in the rain 😆 But Sunak , a wet Tory???? LOL.! Definitely NOT . He is Right of centre puppet Tory😂

[@oneoflokis]

He certainly looked it! 😂

[@sissach1]

77 Tory MPs stepping down before the general election to spend more time with their.... Money.

[@redalert2834]

I expect Rishi has had enough of the horribly wet UK weather and is looking forward to retiring and putting his feet up in sunny Rwanda.

[@user-bg2nj5fn4m]

That's Rwanda, CA, a little-known town in the state.

[@fjdstudios4485]

Y'all should pack your loads early. what a wicked Party . Life has been miserable since Cameron came in. I am vindicated when I warned people that Tory will make life difficult .

[@grasroots601222]

There is no such a word as 'Y'all'!

[@marksavage1108]

Life has been miserable since toxic tony came in, It has been a 27 year downturn

[@fjdstudios4485]

@@grasroots601222 argue with your keyboard

[@williamsulman2646]

Labour created a whole sub class of people dependent on blairs ridiculous benifits. Blair started the ball rolling for the mess we have now.

[@simonnicklin1313]

@@grasroots601222 👍 Well said.

[@jamesvdv0]

This lot of interviewees prove to me that we have a generation of politicians that have absolutely NO ambition to fix any of the root causes for the country's problems. God help us in the future once the next government gets into office, following the next general election!

[@user-ss4rx4ul4i]

Very true 😂😂

[@maikotter9945]

There can NEVER be >= 1 "God"!

[@chrislambe400]

Richy Nutsak - Vote out to help out.

[@alexvince461]

Nice

[@joem664]

Nutsak😂😂😂😂 brilliant

[@petyrkowalski9887]

The arrogance of the tories is only matched by Sunaks stupidity.

[@jackdoyle7453]

What do the Tories have to be proud of?

[@stevenclarke5606]

Brexit, Massive Energy Prices, The NHS is on it’s knees, Massive Inflation, huge Rises in the cost of living! They had A 14 year Plan , to destroy the country and pocket as much money as possible!

[@simony2801]

Brexit

[@wengelder9256]

@@simony2801ahh the sarcasm

[@lorraine7960]

Nothing at all, and plenty to be ashamed of.

[@yourmum5576]

Giving all our money to ukraine

[@waltham99]

I am a Labour Party supporter of many years but...I think that it is really stupid to call the general election now rather than November to January next year!

[@fjdstudios4485]

Let them just get out . Life has been miserable since the days of Cameron.

[@syedadeelhussain2691]

Now BOE Bank of England won't be able to reduce the key policy rate (base rate) which means the economy won't pick up! That is a big political and economic mistake

[@paulgibbon5991]

Sunak's had a job offer.

[@oneoflokis]

​@syedadeelhussain2691 Why not?

[@marigoldwhite867]

But we hve consistently voted for them

[@carlettoburacco9235]

You have to understand: he's too proud of himself to resign before they stab him in the back. He prefers to lose, disappear and go to enjoy the over 600 million of his personal assets.

[@davidtuer5825]

Which he earned BEFORE going into Parliament.

[@carlettoburacco9235]

@@davidtuer5825 Sure. No problems there. By the way: "Infosys has received at least £66m in public contracts since 2015, including more than £47m awarded since Sunak became Chancellor in February 2020. "

[@PastaSauce.]

I still have no idea why the blonde lady is a conservative.

[@woodencreatures]

My thoughts exactly

[@martinspencer1618]

She isn't: she's a member of the Conservative party, a very different thing.

[@walkingandadventures6114]

She probably believes in personnel responsibility and lack of state interference in peoples lives.

[@walkingandadventures6114]

Cost of living is down to Covid and the War in Ukraine…

[@SteveLaw-UK]

​​@@walkingandadventures6114interesting typo. Freud would be proud.

[@sol2746]

He's had enough & wants out.

[@brucevair-turnbull8082]

Err...no. WE'VE had enough and he has a 'plan'.

[@kennethvenezia4400]

Of course all the MP's are angry. Now there is not going to be time for a wine and cocaine party, and that's the real problem.

[@veronicamoody3981]

Seriously, I want to know for my own curiosity. Is a wine and cocaine party really a thing?

[@user-cu5gc4qz8p]

There is no mastermind plan, he's had enough and wants to get kids settled in Cali before school year starts.

[@Winspur1982]

I watched Sunak's announcement from the US and his self-drenching self-sacrificial performance struck a familiar chord. There are definitely Republican men just like him here (Adam Kinzinger comes to mind). But when you build a party on organized greed and bigotry the noble impulses are always drowned out. No matter how well-educated or personally wealthy you are, you cannot make the monsters behave more politely. I wish Keir Starmer the best in forming a new government in July.

[@captainfrosty31]

We here in the UK will mourn if starmer wins!

[@marigoldwhite867]

Well who do you want then? No other parties will gain a majority

[@JanbekOzturk]

@@marigoldwhite867 WE WANT CORBYN.

[@lorraine7960]

@@captainfrosty31 No we will not.

[@lorraine7960]

Thank you, and I hope you manage to Dump the Trump.

[@dorothyb.]

Diane Abbott has been waiting 12months for an outcome. It needs resolving either way.

[@jamessmythe1891]

She broke party’s rules, time for her to step down.

[@oneoflokis]

​@@jamessmythe1891Bull.

[@Greenpoloboy3]

Maybe the Letters to the 1922 committee were going in and he did this before he was forced.

[@ninthsunn]

problem being, sunak has nothing to show nor good things to say of the conservatives for the past 14 years. he had 5 pledges to accomplish, even that he couldn’t make a success of it, so attacking on sir keir starmer is his only best bet.

[@ingerfaber3411]

School in California starts in early August ....

[@shaneheff5244]

"elucidating that and explaining in a tangible way what it means to the man in the street" Is she for real 🙄

[@vishy]

Word soup

[@kimaspindale9721]

Strange but good to see two opposite views respecting each other and tearing each over apart

[@God_is_love_believe]

Just listening to them shows me how out of touch they all are (conservative, Labour etc). They live in their own world, enabled by a gullible public who never learn.

[@bryn1890]

Do I wonder whether politicians wearing trainers to discuss the general election on national TV is really representative of the national mood, or more symptomatic of what has been going wrong all these years? Yes, I do. And a lot of my colleagues are wondering that too.

[@dolceanstar]

With the minimum of tweaking, the 'apology' Sunak gave to victims of the contaminated blood scandal yesterday, could be used as an apology to the British people for the past 14 years of tory misgovernment.

[@nowherepeople3431]

ZERO SEATS! ZERO SEATS! ZERO SEATS! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@theprecipiceofreason]

"my team are facing the possibility of having no job" Oh poor things, ruined the economy puddle and now have to swim in it yeah? So sad. So very sad!

[@_Why_123]

🤔hmmm... It would seem that the PM has annoyed some of his "team", by him autonomously announcing an election, and thus closing up the Government!... BUT, what about the "general-public", that every day are having all manner of decisions being made that concern their lives and their wellbeing, ALSO without ever being asked for their consent before-hand? 😦🤨

[@Buddhavibez]

If money and economics was taught in state school not just private schools. People would be able to understand things a lot more without being re taught as an adult, they would also be less easier to mug off by politicians and bankers. I guess that’s why it isn’t taught in state school!

[@cinziam457]

Ben Bradshaw -- My first time seeing him and I was struck by how much I saw Bowie for a split second. He looks like Bowie just not in the eyes.

[@glyn6170]

Damage limitation 1. Inflation reducing - goodish news 2. Rwanda Bill passed - will appeal to some 3. No planes will take off this summer - bad news 4. Risk of increase in inflation - bad news 5. No oppotunity to cut taxes - bad news 6. Summer bad news for Cons, good for Reform - more seats lost 6. Gaza is a problem for Labour, potental to lose 3/4 seats reduces majority by 6/8 7. Labour supporters not voting due to Gaza - risk of not gaining some seats 8. Labour need a swing of 12% to get a majority, any thing that can make it difficult and Con bonus Overall he's trying to reduce Labour majority to something that's overturnable in 2029.

[@johnvincentio]

Why July? Lowest possible turnout which will greatly benefit the Tories. Same motives as you state. To yield the smallest possible Labour majority and the shortest time out of office.

[@kennethhodges3187]

Sunak has pinned his faith on planes going to Rwanda by July. He now fears that this this is unlikely to happen, so he wants to cut and run beforehand!

[@user-su3eu4zu9z]

If the tories can't trust each other then why should we? Same question goes to labour too btw.

[@user-pv3nr7vf2x]

Today Sunak said... The voters have a clear choice between HIM and STARMER .... I thought we didn't vote for a leader ? He said it.. so 😅😅😅

[@Martin-jk6pc]

It was a scary time under the tories. A daily depressive journey trying to tread water

[@Haan22]

Or sewage.

[@strangetrip837]

He got a job offer in California to start in July so…….

[@SpectacularDisaster]

Confirmed?

[@dolceanstar]

It's a shame that he won't be delayed by a criminal mismanagment charge

[@quintuscrinis8032]

Unfortunately for him his seat is rather safe for the Tories.

[@dresib]

How refreshing these days to see a political discussion with actual politicians without the mudslinging or a shouting match.

[@scotteverett5932]

Love how Dehenna says she has constituency work to wrap up

[@susanpettitt713]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@discostoo]

A liar to the very end

[@oitoitoi1]

she's a vile human. washed up on the tory scrapheap at 30, let her disappear into obscurity, or perhaps more appropriately, prison.

[@Dawn.of.the-day]

wrap up what lol 😂😂 she's in my area and i'm still waiting for something to happen from her.....

[@MrDeadhead1952]

The problem with the wrong-footing tactic is it's supposed to be the other parties which are wrong-footed not your own party. In the case Labour had organised themselves for a May election so at this point they are ready to go, so the only parties which have been caught out apart from the Tories are the minor ones who arn't a threat to the Tories.

[@chakravarthivrangarajan9616]

Good way to end internal dissensions 😂

[@lesbeswick6172]

That Davison woman does not strike me with confidence.

[@youkosm]

The more they wait the worse it gets ..

[@serinadelmar6012]

Exactly, and when it does get worse before labour have a chance to get anything better, they will blame that on labour, despite the fact they laid the groundwork for this destruction of the country.

[@Harrysound]

Why is everyone so surprised? I wasn’t ….

[@fjdstudios4485]

exactly

[@paulgibbon5991]

I thought they'd want to keep their noses in the troughs for as long as possible.

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks for posting

[@user-gy5es2fe3p]

So refreshing. An actual conversation by everyone involved.More please. Thankyou.

[@ReedoTV]

Sunak is so out of touch he's only just learned about "YOLO"

[@fuckbankers]

Is that carpe diem

[@fuckbankers]

LOL - lots of love Cameron

[@fuckbankers]

Carpe diem

[@jcanyiam8309]

I VOTED for the Conservatives in 2019 ONLY because of Boris Johnson's CHARISMA & PERSONALITY- NEVER AGAIN!!! This country is in such a mess, We need SERIOUS people in Government NOT TV Personalities and SALESMEN.

[@michaelfoy]

Charisma is SO overated.....Leave that for Show-business....In Government We need Cool-headed, competent and SERIOUS people, fully engaged with the job and NOT huge EGO's, just performing for the Cameras......Like Johnson ....

[@oneoflokis]

So you voted for a clown... 🤡😏

[@oneoflokis]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pICyaIqafrB5d9ksi=2WXR4uuPVDzAGKd8

[@peterdauda3351]

The Conservatives are too full of themselves.

[@MrCostas32]

Labour 480 to 500 seats , Conservatives 65 to 75 seats , Lib dems 50 to 60 seats, Greens 15 - 20 seats, Reform 1 or 2 seats (maybe).. That's my rough estitmate.. either way, the conservatives will be decimated

[@polly6336]

If I were Rishi, I'd be more than ready to leave over the conflict in the Middle East alone. Just a few days ago the ICC stated it's seeking arrest warrants. There's no guarantee there won't be more arrest warrants, and both the UK and the USA have been complicit. He *must* have been advised on this. I'm not surprised by this in the slightest.

[@stevenporter4845]

Goodness this woman is so unimpressive. Go now please.

[@rallan1953]

Parliament will be dissolved on 30 May 2024, at which point literally all the MPs will be gone.

[@vishy]

Yeh she just comes across as self promoting

[@mervinprone]

Why go now? It frees up his summer!

[@bryanporinski5308]

I think he wants to enjoy his American summer break

[@jnc1771]

20% real inflationary increase in three years is the reason that 2.3% inflation now means nothing to most people.

[@keithmarshall8796]

So you haven't a clue what happened to the rest of the world including the eu?

[@oneoflokis]

​@@keithmarshall8796So what happened?

[@jnc1771]

As we talking about the UK politics it doesn't really matter, as it is the facts in the UK that will be what is important. If we discussing the global downturn, many countries have done better than the UK. As one particular fact has not affected them, namely Brexit. Business hasn't found that to be at all beneficial.

[@stevebrooks9119]

I've met Keir and he was warm, friendly, humorous and comfortable chatting about a variety of non political topics. When the electorate get to know him after he becomes PM they'll understand that he's not the distanced, uncharismatic individual that he's portrayed as...

[@kansax8253]

Honestly such a good-natured, honest man. I loved it when he was honest and said he loves DAVOS and would like a drink with Piers Morgan but not Corbyn. And his support for Israel is 100% on point, standing behind their right to exist to starve children to death.

[@PSYCHIC_PSYCHO]

No one cares about Tory-Starmer's personality; only his policies

[@oneoflokis]

Then he's as great a liar and a deceiver as BoJo! 🤡

[@leesmith2045]

He obviously had a new job lined up and has gone into this with a Win/Win option

[@kubhlaikhan2015]

Watching this video is like throwing open a spaceship window.

[@georgeblackley6028]

Half of Scotland goes on holiday that week and will miss the election.

[@Manu-Official]

I was exactly expecting that, knew Sunak was going to call it in July, but I'm surprised he did not call it on the 23rd.

[@gaz9957]

Never really makes a difference anyway, unless we vote the "right" way

[@jackdoyle7453]

Yet it was the SNP that wanted the election. I wonder if they are feart now!?

[@samueldorrington8990]

The half that vote SNP or the half that vote labour? Because theres no half that votes Tory in Scotland

[@kinngrimm]

Can you send your ballot by mail?

[@JanbekOzturk]

Rishi playing 4D-Chess because he knows Starmer is a tory as well.

[@davidbrown7883]

He wants to get his kids into a good school in California before the Summer is over.

[@pw3858]

There are even more even worse things coming that the next government have to deal with.

[@jonsteele7227]

But the tories said inflation and interest rate increases were nothing to do with them. Which in some ways they arent beyond Truss crashing the economy. But you cant say its not my fault and then oh I have decreased inflation and increased living standards. But also decreasing inflation means we have been screwed over by price increases. That will continue just not increasing as fast. If you cant pay your bills now you cant pay your bills. Sunak is leaving with his largesse to get kids into School in California for start of term, That is how much he cares about country or you. The rich senior tories the same. Its greed. Just stop voting tory. It is very very simple

[@jimbob-robob]

3:36 One Punch Awareness... typical Tories fiddling while Rome burns performative policymaking... 🙄

[@caroldaviddaviejohnson2225]

I'm not a tory voter, never have been, never will be either, so don't think I'm sticking up for Dehenna Davison please, however, i think this awareness drive is close to her heart as her father was killed in a one punch assault, which has become a driving force behind her trying to tackle the issue of one punch deaths.

[@jimbob-robob]

@caroldaviddaviejohnson2225 I stand corrected... Typical Tories only react to problems personally affecting them, never to other people's problems, only until it affects themselves...

[@caroldaviddaviejohnson2225]

@@jimbob-robob yes I agree with you! Unless a problem is right infront of their own noses they've absolutely no idea how the majority of us are living! Poorer than we've been before they came in, struggling far more than ever, children living in abject poverty, filthy waterways...the list is endless, and absolutely damning.

[@franosborne8198]

Watching from New Zealand. Interesting discussion thank you.

[@Savagetechie]

It's the best decision Rishi has made in his whole political career... well, unles he decides to shower in petrol and take up smoking.

[@user-up8rp8mv7s]

its sad that your mind is so rotten

[@Savagetechie]

@@user-up8rp8mv7s that was quite polite for me talking about him. 14 years of Tories really hasn't been great and some of their policies are just horrendous. Rishi is a rat who has focused on making him and his pals richer whilst peddling austerity to everyone else.

[@user-sd3ik9rt6d]

Extraordinary Stupid.... yep, sums up the Tories

[@PhoenixLord777]

as opposed the economically illiterate, gender confused communists?

[@JohnHollyoak-vx6pn]

And those who vote for them.