Prime Minister Rishi Sunak grew tetchy but remained tight-lipped despite being repeatedly questioned on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips about setting a date for a general election.
Sunak is facing intensifying pressure to call an election amidst plummeting poll numbers and growing public discontent.
Host Trevor Phillips pressed Sunak on the date, on whether an election will be scheduled for July.
Sunak pushed back: “I’m not going to say anything more than I’ve already said. I’ve been very clear about that.”
The host said: “We’re not going to have July.”
The prime minister continued: “Again, you’re going to try and say ‘You’re ruling this in, you’re ruling that in.’”
“I just need to know when to lock my holidays. July is possible,” Phillips joked.
Sunak replied: “Actually, Trevor, it’s more important than your holiday or anyone’s holiday, I’ve got a job to do, which is delivering for the country.”
“So it could be July,” Phillips repeated.
The prime minister said: “I’m not going to do that. And you’re going to try and do this. And I remember you did the same thing when I was chancellor. Before budgets, you’d go and put this tax to me and this tax cut.”
The host said: “I’m just trying to get a clear answer.”
“Sunak responded: “And I’d give you the same answer every time.”
“The latest possible date he could hold the election is January 28, 2025. I’m not going to say anything more than I’ve already said, I’ve been very clear about that,” Sunak said, sidestepping queries about a July election.
As speculation rages, internal Conservative Party strife and external criticisms add to the beleaguered leader’s woes.
After the interview, Labour’s shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: “He should get on with it. People are crying out for an opportunity to deliver their verdict on this Government and to vote for change.”
Meanwhile, as rumours of a Tory overthrow plot loom, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and Home Secretary James Cleverly have cautioned against a premature leadership challenge, with Home Office minister Chris Philp admitting to the public’s frustration yet optimistically predicting a rebound in Tory fortunes as the election draws nearer.
