Shock summer election in Britain predicted to deliver ‘historic’ result

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ended months of speculation this week by announcing a national election on July 4, as forecasts suggest his right-wing Conservative Party is likely to be ousted after 14 years in power.

News of the vote came as a surprise to the public, the media and much of Sunak’s own party. It had been expected to take place in the fall, ahead of a deadline of Jan. 28, 2025, giving the Conservatives more time to turn around weak poll ratings in which they have lagged the center-left Labour Party for more than two years.

Speaking while getting drenched by rain in a press conference outside 10 Downing Street Wednesday, Sunak said: “Uncertain times call for a clear plan and bold action.”

He stressed that recent economic data was a significant part of his decision-making, telling the BBC’s “Today” program Thursday that inflation had gone “back down to normal,” the economy was growing and wages were “rising sustainably.”