Keir Starmer accuses PM of 'squatting in No 10' after Rishi Sunak's general election hint
Speculation has been rife for months about when Rishi Sunak will choose to go to the polls. He has now hinted at an autumn election - drawing criticism from opposition party leaders who have branded him "Squatter Sunak".
Thursday 4 January 2024 15:24, UK
Rishi Sunak has given the clearest hint yet about when he will call a general election, saying his "working assumption" is that it will happen in the second half of this year.
Speculation has been rife for months about when the prime minister will choose to go to the polls.
Politics latest: One date thought to be frontrunner for election this year
Technically, he can wait until December before calling an election, meaning voters would then cast their ballots in January 2025.
But Mr Sunak has narrowed down the timeframe for an election the polls suggest the Tories will lose, which would bring to an end 14 years in power under five prime ministers.
Speaking to broadcasters on a visit to a youth centre in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, he said: "So, my working assumption is we'll have a general election in the second half of this year and in the meantime I've got lots that I want to get on with."
The Conservative leader declined to rule out a May election categorically - but repeated his intentions to call one later in the year.
"I want to keep going, managing the economy well and cutting people's taxes," Mr Sunak said.
"But I also want to keep tackling illegal migration. So I've got lots to get on with and I'm determined to keep delivering for the British people."
Both the Conservatives' and Labour's long election campaigns were well under way on Thursday, as both party leaders visited battleground areas.
Labour has claimed a spring vote is the "worst kept secret in parliament", with party leader Sir Keir Starmer earlier saying in his own speech to voters in Bristol that he is "ready" for a general election whenever it is called.
Responding to Mr Sunak's remarks which hinted at an autumn vote, Sir Keir accused the prime minister of "delaying" the inevitable.
He told Sky's political editor Beth Rigby: "People are crying out for change. And I say to the prime minister, what's he hiding? If he's not going to set a date, what's he hiding from the public?
"This has serious implications for the country because he's basically saying he's going to be squatting for months and months in Downing Street, dithering and delaying.
"So if he's not being clear, and I don't think he's setting a date, what's he hiding?"
Asked whether he would prefer a vote in the first half of the year, Sir Keir said: "I would like to see an election as soon as possible.
"I think the vast majority of the public want to see an election as soon as possible, and the reason is that the choice now is to turn our back on 14 years of decline and usher in a decade of national renewal with hope and change."
He added: "People can't afford for the prime minister to be squatting for months on end this year."
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The Liberal Democrats have also been calling for Mr Sunak to hold the vote in May rather than trying to "cling on" to power for the rest of the year.
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey accused Mr Sunak of "running scared" of a May election.
He said: "Squatter Sunak is holed up in Downing Street, desperately clinging on to power rather than facing the verdict of the British people.
"We need an election in spring, so that voters can finally get rid of this appalling and out-of-touch Conservative government."
Reform UK has ruled out entering into any electoral pacts with the Tories.
Mr Sunak warned against voting for Reform UK amid fears the right-wing party could steal votes from the Conservatives.
He said: "A vote for anybody who's not a Conservative candidate, a Conservative MP, is a vote for Keir Starmer in power.
"There's only going to be two options for prime minister after the next election, it's either going to be me or Keir Starmer. A vote for anyone who is not a Conservative is a vote for Keir Starmer in power."
He added: "What's the issue that has motivated a lot of these conversations? It's illegal migration. So, what's my track record? Well, I'm the first person to actually cut the numbers, and cut them not just by a little, but cut them by over a third in my first year in power.
"We're going to pass our Rwanda Bill through parliament, get that scheme up and running, and that will provide the further deterrent we need to grip this once and for all."