Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Rishi Sunak has delivered his first pre-election message. Nearly one and a half weeks after a significant setback in local elections, he addressed the citizens of the United Kingdom urging them to confront the challenges of modernity with unwavering resolve, stating that the British nation stands on the brink of a pivotal moment in history.
It’s worth noting that the theme of security, both domestically and abroad, took centre stage in the Prime Minister’s speech. Sunak stated that Britain is virtually besieged by various adversaries – from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, whom Sunak dubbedthe “axis of authoritarian states,” to issues of global immigration and the threats of artificial intelligence. He also criticised the leader of the Labour Party, Keir Starmer, accusing him of lacking real plans to defend the country. Sunak positioned himself as the architect of bold solutions to pressing issues. His speech was infused with a mixture of optimism and pragmatism:
Over the next few years, from our democracy to our economy to our society – to the hardest questions of war and peace – almost every aspect of our lives is going to change. How we act in the face of these changes – not only to keep people safe and secure but to realise the opportunities too – will determine whether or notBritain will succeed in the years to come. And this is the choice facing the country.
However, against the backdrop of rhetoric about resilience and vigilance, the Prime Minister’s real enemy remains harsh reality: chaos and disillusionment reign within the Conservative Party. In a situation where Labour continues to confidently lead in national polls (according to data, they lead the Tories by approximately 20 points), and as a result of local elections, a significant number of regions have been lost (470 key seats in local councils and the crucial race for the mayor of the West Midlands), Sunak’s task of uniting the electorate seems to have no answer.
And here arises the question of the timing of the general elections. The latest possible date is set for January 28, 2025, but Sunak and his advisors continue to weigh the pros and cons of various scenarios. Voices within the Conservative Party have already suggested holding elections in November to capitalise on the momentum gained at the upcoming October Tory conference, although there are concerns that the British procedure will overlap with the presidential elections in the USA. Sources from Downing Street have hinted at a vote on October 10, practically before the conferences of both major parties. Apparently, for the Tories, it’s better if voters hear as few slogans from Labour as possible. A later date was supported by Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron, who claimed that such a decision would demonstrate the effectiveness of the Conservatives’ economic strategy, which allegedly just needs time. Really?
