we, Beth Rigby, Political Editorsaid the election announcement was “really coming out of the left” for the MP.
Several former cabinet ministers tonight told the Prime Minister that “this is madness” as they are “losing so far behind in the polls” and are “angry that Chancellor Rishi Sunak is now calling an election”.
With the party no longer in contention for the leadership after a disastrous local election defeat, it was thought he would wait until the autumn.
“Why did they make the decision now? That’s the question.”
Bess explained that it was a “delicately balanced decision which was debated for many weeks and which involved advice and input from many people across Government, but ultimately it was the Prime Minister’s sole decision.”
Campaign chief Isaac Levido wanted a “long game” and wanted to wait until the autumn, but Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden wanted to act sooner.
One Downing Street source told her that Cabinet Minister Michael Gove put it best: “The courageous will win. And you are the courageous ones, and you will win.”
Additionally, there had previously been hopes that the positive signs for the economy would continue into the fall, but this hope has been partly due to the fact that despite the recent economic improvement, “people’s lives have not yet improved.” It disappeared.”
“The calculation was: If we went in July, or if we went in November, would that make any real difference?”
He said Labor was “really pleased” with a 20-point lead, but feared the gap would narrow if the situation continued for many months.
“This is a big gamble and Rishi Sunak really believes he can argue for the country.
“But I have to say, he’s been doing this for almost two years and the polls still haven’t turned in his favor.”
