The starting gun fired in the July general election

The country will go to the polls on Thursday, July 4, Democracy local reporter Noah Vickers reports

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowed to “fight every day” for voters’ trust as he held his first general election rally at the Excel Center in East London.

Joined by most of his cabinet and around a hundred party members, the prime minister used it as an opportunity to stress that the Conservatives still have a chance of winning the election.

“Labour wants you to think this election is over before it’s even started,” he said. “But we will fight. We will fight every day for our values ​​and vision.”

Labor currently has an average opinion poll lead over the Conservatives of more than 20 points.

In Enfield, the district’s three Labor MPs – Bambos Charalambous, Feryal Clark and Kate Osamor – will all defend their seats, albeit with newly named constituencies in the case of Southgate and Wood Green, formerly Enfield Southgate, and Edmonton and Winchmore Hill, previously only Edmonton. Enfield North’s boundaries are also changing to include Ponders End.

Last night Sunak claimed that “in every way Labor would make our country less safe”, while claiming his party had “a clear plan with bold action to secure our future”.

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He also stressed that the UK was on a positive economic trajectory, saying: “Wages have been rising faster than prices for ten months. The economy has turned a corner. Friends, our plan is working.”

The Prime Minister was introduced to the stage by Home Secretary James Cleverly, who today referred to news that inflation in the year to April had fallen to 2.3%, down from 3.2% in March, and almost hitting the government’s target of 2%.

“We have fantastic economic numbers today,” Cleverly said. “Inflation is now back to where it should be… Not by chance, but because of some choice.”

In a nod to the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, he added: “In a time of turmoil, when there is danger around the globe… We need a leader at the head of a government who is willing to do justice. elections.”

The rally came after Sunak revealed earlier on Wednesday (22) that he had asked King Charles to dissolve Parliament on 30 May. This has been granted, he said, meaning a general election will be held on Thursday, July 4.

Speaking in the rain in Downing Street, Sunak had said he was proud of what his government had achieved.

Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer later said it was “time for change” and that his party would “put Britain back in the service of working people”.

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