Indy TV

Rishi Sunak has explained why he decided to announce the general election date of 4 July while stood in the pouring rain on Wednesday, 22 May.The prime minister chose to make a statement at the lectern in front of the Downing Street steps rather than in the media briefing room that cost the taxpayer £2.6m, getting drenched in the process.Speaking to LBC the following morning, Mr Sunak said that his belief in tradition was behind his decision.“When you’re making a statement of that magnitude… I believe in just doing it in the traditional way, come rain or shine,” he said. More

Rishi Sunak asked Welsh brewery staff if they were looking forward to football later this summer as a potential source of revenue, despite the national team not qualifying for the Euro 2024 tournament.The prime minister met voters at the Vale of Glamorgan Brewery in Barry with Wales secretary David TC Davies and Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns.Mr Sunak, who is teetotal, discussed his party’s support for the sector during a brief campaign stop.His question about the football was met with a brief moment of silence before laughter erupted. More

A Labour MP has claimed the rising prices of groceries such as milk and butter shows the Conservative’s economic plan is not working.Shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth discussed his thoughts on Rishi Sunak calling a snap general election when he appeared on Politics Live on Thursday (23 May).Mr Ashworth said: “Rishi Sunak has been telling us the plan is working, but people are worse off.“Two years ago if you go to Asda a 250g of butter was £1.48 and it’s now £2.40.“If you’re going to tell the public they’ve never had it so good, I think you’ll find that attitude jars with real-life experiences.” More

A Gillingham voter offered a brutal response when asked for her opinion on Rishi Sunak.The prime minister on Wednesday (22 May) announced a general election for Thursday 4 July, but it appears he has work to do to make an impression on some members of the public.“What do you think of Rishi Sunak?” ITV News deputy political editor Anushka Asthana asked one woman on the streets of Gillingham.“Who is he? Is he the local?” the voter responded, before being informed he is actually the PM.“Oh him. Yeah. He hasn’t been prime minister long enough for me to know his name,” she added. More

Rishi Sunak took a question from an audience member at a campaign event in Derbyshire this morning – who turned out to be a Conservative councillor.The prime minister was speaking at a McVitie’s warehouse when he called upon someone who appeared to be a member of the public, dressed in a high-vis jacket.Ross Hills, Leicestershire County Councillor for Mallory, then asked the PM about his Rwanda bill.Mr Sunak thanked Mr Hills for asking an “important question.”A Tory source told The Independent: “We do not control who asks questions – anyone can try and ask one.”Mr Hills’s office has been contacted for comment. More

Those responsible for blasting New Labour’s 1997 anthem “Things Can Only Get Better” as Rishi Sunak made his general election annnouncement on Wednesday, 22 May, have been unmasked.Anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray posted footage of himself and a group of people gathered round a speaker outside Downing Street as it played the D:Ream track while the prime minister spoke.Mr Sunak was drenched in the rain as he spoke over the music, confirming he had spoken with King Charles III to request the dissolution of parliament for the general election to be held on 4 July 2024. More

Labour MP John McDonnell has said Jeremy Corbyn would still have “a lot of very personal support” if he stood as an Independent in Islington North.Mr McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, said he is still hoping leader Sir Keir Starmer will have a “Damascene conversation” and allows Corbyn to run as a Labour candidate.Mr McDonnell made his comments on the ITV Peston show on Wednesday (22 May), just hours after prime minister Rishi Sunak announced a snap general election will take place on 4 July. More

Rishi Sunak calling a general election during Scotland’s summer school holidays shows “disrespect,” John Swinney has said.On Wednesday (22 May), the prime minister confirmed the date the public will go to the polls is 4 July.Schools in all but two of the 32 Scottish local authorities will be closed for the summer on that day, meaning it is likely some voters will be on holiday when the general election is held.”This is perhaps the latest act of disrespect from a Conservative government, to call an election during the Scottish school holidays,” the First Minister told reporters. More