Rishi Sunak calls General Election for July 4: why now? | LBC analysis

Rishi Sunak has called an election for July 4 - earlier than most people thought.

Mr Sunak had repeatedly insisted that the election would be taking place in the second half of the year, which many assumed would mean some time in the Autumn.

But here Nick Ferrari is joined by LBC's Political Editor Natasha Clark to analyse why the prime minister has decided to go now and not later in the year.

00:01 Natasha Clark analyses Rishi Sunak's decision

2:13 LBC reporters speak to the public about the election

5:14 Professor of politics Tim Bale gives his verdict on why Sunak went 'early'

#NickFerrari #Politics #generalelection #RishiSunak #LBC

LBC is the home of live debate around news and current affairs in the UK.

[dannydd]

Rishi expects to be wiped out, before thrown out.

[oldershikari]

'It's not going to get any better..' - Aren't the politicians in control of whether it gets better? ha

[Putinisgod]

We have 2 main political parties, 2 main oil companies, 3 main energy providers, 4 main insurance companies, 27 flavours of coffee.

We are under an illusion of choice and do nothing about it.

[susanmorley]

But “immigration” isn’t falling, it only fluctuates due to weather

[andrewfolkard]

They say they lowered inflation they the ones who put it up

[bovineox]

They’ve been squatting in Downing Street for years!

[theghostoftom]

Sunak couldn't even organise a tarpaulin for his speech.

[robertwebster]

They’ve chosen the 4th July because ALL students move in and out of uni accommodation on 30/1st July so it becomes more difficult to vote!

[jonbob]

I just can’t wait for Have I Got News For You tomorrow.

[themidnightwoodsman]

Not a gamble at all. Would have got mullered if he'd held it at any time this year.

[frankhymas]

What is sad is that the ignorant british public will vote for Labour thinking things will change! Pathetic.

[paddyandhisguitar]

Real wage growth? Would like to see that data

[Catmanxii]

They started falling apart during the reign of Camoron & seemed to adopt getting worse as party policy. The big problem for us is that there is no credible alternative around to vote for as a replacement.

[kkhan]

What are you saying about gambling? The Conservatives are done and dusted for at least ten years. Simple 😊😊😊

[MichaelSmith-nsow]

How many Conservative MPs are standing down?

[OzzyHamid-clfi]

Either Israel have promised him the win, or he just wants out ASAP so he can concentrate on wife’s business interests in Israel.
Either way, the people lose

[Obez]

I know how busy life is but I do I wish there was some sort of political test that everyone who wanted to vote has to take in order to vote so no one is ignorant of the facts of the country before voting. the public's take on this election is deeply worrying and terrifying.

[deang]

Doesn't matter when he holds the GE. It's a gamble. And it is no more of a gamble holding it in July or later in the year. He has to hold before a certain date.

And whenever he holds it, with that limit not so far away, the odds are not in his favour.

[CaptainCataractss]

I’m American and find this extremely interesting. I wonder what the outcome will be? What’s the feeling in the UK?

[eriktopolsky]

British DECLINE is gradual, but constant and consisten, by the time your kids have grown up it is completelly different country in negative sence, there is no stopping of this decline in sight