Rishi Sunak Surprises His Finance Minister with Unexpected UK Poll Announcement

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak blindsided his own finance minister, Jeremy Hunt, with a sudden call for a rare summer election, leaving many in the Conservative Party surprised and scrambling to adjust their plans.

Hunt’s allies were caught off guard by the snap election announcement, with some even fearing that the chancellor was about to be replaced in a reshuffle. As Sunak prepared to reveal his decision, Hunt had to cancel media appearances and cut short a trip to a meeting of Group of Seven finance ministers in Italy.

While some ministers supported the election decision, others, including Hunt, were disappointed by the potential implications of a vote that could cost them seats. Many had been expecting to wait for the economic situation to improve before calling an election, but Sunak’s unexpected move changed the game.

The lack of support for a summer election raised questions about the party’s motivation to contest Labour leader Keir Starmer’s bid for prime minister. Some government ministers criticized the timing, with one calling it a “terrible idea” given the Conservatives’ lagging poll numbers.

Despite the backlash, Sunak seems to have calculated that the timing of the election could work in his favor, especially with the issue of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda potentially dominating the campaign. His decision to call for an election now has sparked mixed reactions within the party, with some praising his leadership while others question his motives.

As the Conservative Party gears up for the upcoming election, the political landscape in the UK is set for a dramatic shift, with Sunak’s surprise move leaving many in the party reeling and uncertain about the future.