UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will give a speech to voters on Monday, stating that the country “stands at a crossroads” before “some of the most dangerous years”. The PM is expected to offer bold ideas that can create a more secure future for Britons. This speech is his major intervention since the Conservative Party’s bleak showing in local elections. National polling sees the Labour Party as much as 20 points ahead of the Conservatives in general election voting intentions. Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, will meet later with Labour mayors and will yet again paint the choice as being between “a changed Labour Party… or more chaos and decline under the Tories”.
The Conservatives lost 470 councillors in the local elections and the key mayoral race in the West Midlands. Mr Sunak will argue that voters face a critical choice in who will lead the UK through some of the most dangerous yet most transformational years ever. The Prime Minister wants to portray himself as the best person to deal with the challenges after the general election expected before the end of this year. He says he has “bold ideas” that can restore the public’s confidence and pride in our country.
Mr Sunak’s speech will vow to safeguard the UK and capitalise on opportunities presented by technologies such as artificial intelligence. He will declare that more will change in the next five years than in the preceding thirty. Downing Street argues that Mr Sunak has a positive track record of delivering firm solutions. The Prime Minister has attempted to persuade voters that the UK’s economic situation is improving in a bid to reverse the Conservative’s fortunes in the polls.
Sir Keir Starmer will hold talks with mayors about improving regional growth if Labour wins power. He will reiterate that the next election is a choice between “a changed Labour Party that will raise living standards for everyone, everywhere, or more chaos and decline under the Tories who will never match the ambition of this country”. Official figures last week showed the economy grew by 0.6% over the first quarter, ending a technical recession recorded in the final half of 2020. However, Mr Sunak has faced several setbacks, including the recent local election results and the defection of Natalie Elphicke, the second MP to desert the Tories for Labour in as many weeks
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