Why now? Sunak hoping scrutiny of Labour plans will limit Tory damage

Rishi Sunak took the final decision to call a summer election on two key statistics – a drop in inflation and falling net migration – but Tory insiders also hope that the surprise July poll will put new scrutiny on Labour’s plans.

- Jessica Elgot

Sunak and his advisers believe their best chances of success lie in setting a clear distinction between a long-term plan which is starting to bear fruit and Labour’s ideas – which they plan to put under the spotlight at a moment where the opposition could be caught off guard.

The prime minister is said to feel that Labour has avoided the most difficult scrutiny up until now and that there is little below the surface of Keir Starmer’s missions beyond promise of economic stability.

One source said: “We are essentially forcing a choice – does the public really want a Labour government? Do they genuinely think a Labour government will take the difficult action required?”

But other private motivations are likely to be damage control. An autumn general election was received wisdom in Westminster because Sunak’s only hopes seemed to hinge on more time – for inflation to fall, for the Bank of England to cut interest rates, for wages to increase, for flights to Rwanda to take off.

A summer election will mean that Sunak has now concluded that time is against him and that the worst is yet to come. He is 20 points behind in the polls and – if he’d waited – would perhaps be 25 points behind by the autumn.