Could there really be a hung parliament at the next UK general election?
GuardianMAY 17 2024
UK: Sunak Calls July 4 General Election
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The Facts
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Wednesday that a general election will take place July 4, as the King granted his request to dissolve parliament.
Parliament is set to be prorogued Friday and formally dissolved next Thursday ahead of the official five-week election campaign.
All 650 seats of the House of Commons will be contested, and the majority party or coalition will form the next government with its leader as prime minister — likely Sunak or his main rival, Labour leader Keir Starmer.
The Spin
Left narrative
Sunak has called this surprise early election because he realizes that no further progress will be made in his chaotic administration. Hopefully, the UK will find stability once Labour returns to office because, under Sunak's leadership, the country remains far from its much-promised economic recovery and his controversial Rwanda immigration plan is a disaster.
Right narrative
This was the best time for Sunak to call an early election because the economy is enjoying growth and falling inflation, and the first Rwanda flights are expected soon — giving him a chance to prove this plan is the right one. Sunak might win over Britons and remain in office.