Rishi Sunak asked about summer general election rumours

       0 seconds of 1 minute, 59 seconds Volume 0%

       Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts EnabledDisabled

       Shortcuts Open/Close / or ?

       Play/Pause SPACE

       Increase Volume ↑

       Decrease Volume ↓

       Seek Forward →

       Seek Backward ←

       Captions On/Off c

       Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreen f

       Mute/Unmute m

       Decrease Caption Size -

       Increase Caption Size + or =

       Seek % 0-9

       Next Up

       Rishi Sunak explains why he called a general election

       00:48

       twitter facebook Email Link https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/UTTtKw2V Copied

       Auto540p 1080p 720p 540p 360p 270p

       Live

       00:02

       01:57

       01:59

       More Videos

       00:48

       Rishi Sunak explains why he called a general election

       00:39

       Express tests lemon and baking soda cleaning hack on limescale

       00:41

       Lorraine: Helen Skelton 'taking one week at a time'

       02:09

       PMQs: Boris Johnson takes Corbyn swipe at Starmer

       00:53

       Martin Lewis shares advice on pension credit payments

       00:47

       Prince Harry and Meghan champion Invictus Game in Nigeria

       Close

       Rishi Sunak has repeated his insistence that the general election will take place in the second half of the year amid mounting speculation of a summer polling day.

       The Prime Minister was asked about the date of the election during PMQs as fevered rumours spread in Westminster of a July 4 ballot.

       SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn asked: "Speculation is rife so I think the public deserves a clear answer to a simple question.

       "Does the Prime Minister intend to call a summer general election?"

       Mr Sunak replied: "As I have said repeatedly to him, there is - spoiler alert - there is going to be a general election in the second half of this year.

       Stay up-to-date with the latest Politics news Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

       Rishi Sunak was asked about fresh summer general election rumours (Image: PA)

       Trending

       "And at that moment the British people will in fact see the truth about [Keir Starmer] because that will be the choice at the next election.

       "A party that is not able to say to the country what they would do, a party that would put at risk our hard-earned economic stability or the Conservatives that are delivering a secure future for our UK."

       After PMQs, Downing Street refused to rule out a summer general election amid speculation one could be called imminently.

       The Prime Minister's press secretary said: "I know there's a lot of interest in this, as there has been pretty much every week over the last five months.

       "I'll just say the same thing I've always said, which is I'm not going to rule anything in or out. The PM said election - second half of the year."

       Labour urged Mr Sunak to "get on with it" and call a general election this afternoon.

       It comes as the rumour mill at Westminster has gone into overdrive about a summer ballot.

       The fresh speculation comes after some welcome news for the embattled PM as official figures showed inflation dropped to 2.3%.

       Cabinet ministers are being summoned to Downing Street for a meeting later today, after the usual Tuesday slot was delayed by the Prime Minister's trip to Austria.

       Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron is cutting short a visit to Albania so he can attend, while Defence Secretary Grant Shapps is delaying a trip to the Baltic states.

       It follows a difficult period for the Conservatives, who have suffered two defections by backbench MPs and a drubbing at the local elections earlier this month.

       Polls continue to suggest the Tories are on course to lose the coming national vote, with Labour retaining a double-digit lead.

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

       Related articles Rishi Sunak handed general election boost as UK growth forecasts are upgraded Top Tory warns Labour's strategy will unravel before next general election Reform UK should follow my masterplan to triumph at the next election Jeremy Hunt’s failure to deny snap election sparks fevered Westminster rumours