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Rishi Sunak has fired the starting gun for a 4 July general election - but his opening speech was marred after journalists were forcibly ejected from his event by security.
The political correspondent Darren McCaffrey said they had not been allowed in because broadcast arrangements had been “pooled” - so other broadcasters there were obliged to share footage with others.
It came after the prime minister addressed the nation in the pouring rain, as he battled against the deafening sound of Things Can Only Get Better playing in the background – the 90s hit which famously became a New Labour anthem during Tony Blair’s successful campaign.
In a drenched suit, he said the King had granted his request to dissolve Parliament, and he promised to “fight for every vote” over the next few weeks.
Sir Keir Starmer declared “it’s time for change” and told Britons to vote Labour in response to the PM’s announcement.
He said: “By the force of our democracy, power returns to you. A chance to change for the better your future.”
Key Points
- Sky News crew ejected from Tory rally by security
- Starmer responds to Sunak’s snap election announcement
- How Labour and Tories stand in the polls
- Watch: Sunak drenched as he makes announcement
Election candidates must prioritise social care, say experts
Election candidates must not get away with “weasel words or vague promises” on social care, a providers group has warned.
Those knocking on doors asking for votes should be told that “proper reform” is needed and they will be held accountable for political pledges, the Independent Care Group (ICG) said.
The organisation, which represents providers in York and North Yorkshire, said social care must be a priority for the parties.
Public satisfaction with social care services has dropped to a new low, according to survey results published in March.
Just over one in 10 (13%) of more than 3,000 respondents said they were quite or very satisfied with social care services while more than half (57%) reported being either quite or very dissatisfied.
The findings, from the British Social Attitudes survey for 2023, showed a fall in satisfaction from 14% the previous year.
Jane Dalton22 May 2024 23:59 1716417620Ask the questions about the general election
Join The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul live as he answer all your election questions:
Ask John Rentoul anything as Rishi Sunak calls July snap election
After months of speculation we now know when the UK will head to the polls. The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul is here to answer all your election questions
Jane Dalton22 May 2024 23:40 1716416420Tories begin election campaign trailing Labour by 20 points in polls
Tories begin election campaign trailing Labour by 20 points in polls
There has been no significant movement in the polls by the Tories and Labour for the past year-and-a-half.
Jane Dalton22 May 2024 23:20 1716415220Previous July general election led to Labour landslide
The last general election held in July resulted in a Labour landslide in which Clement Attlee swept to power to oust Winston Churchill after the end of Second World War hostilities in Europe.
The 1945 election - which took place on 5 July - came within two months of VE Day and initiated a political transformation that led to the creation of the NHS and the building of social housing.
Parliament was dissolved only three weeks before Britons went to the polls, in contrast to the six weeks to go until 4 July this year.
The Labour Party gained a 145-seat majority and the Liberal Party leader, Archibald Sinclair, lost his seat.
The Conservatives lost 189 seats.
Jane Dalton22 May 2024 23:00 1716414757‘I have literally no idea why he is doing this’ Tory MPs react to shock election call
Barney Davis22 May 2024 22:52 1716414607Prof Brian Cox once keyboard player of D:Ream weighs in on Sunak’s drenched speech
Barney Davis22 May 2024 22:50 1716414020Postal vote rules and everything else you need to know
What ID will voters need on election day and how to vote by post:
July 4 general election: Postal vote rules and everything else you need to know
What ID will voters need on election day and can you postal vote?
Jane Dalton22 May 2024 22:40 1716413727Reports Conservative rebels are plotting to oust Prime Minister BEFORE election
Barney Davis22 May 2024 22:35 1716413520Union mocks Rishi Sunak’s washout election launch
Barney Davis22 May 2024 22:32 1716412820Sunak’s election announcement drowned out by Tony Blair’s 1997 theme tune
Rishi Sunak’s election announcement was drowned out by the sound of Tony Blair’s 1997 general election soundtrack Things Can Only Get Better, by D:Ream:
Sunak’s election announcement drowned out by D:Ream’s ‘Things Can Only Get Better’
The prime minister’s attempt to announce a general election for July 4 was disrupted by a protester blaring the song through a loudspeaker
Jane Dalton22 May 2024 22:20 Newer1 / 6OlderDisclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
