Achi news desk-
There are even rumors that he could announce the vote as soon as tomorrow.
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Speaking to Sky News, the Tory leader said he would not “say anything more than I’ve already said.”
Back in January, Mr Sunak said his “working assumption” was that it would happen in the second half of the year.
Most assumed this would mean October or November, although it could also technically mean a vote as soon as July.
On Thursday England will go to the polls for a series of mayoral and council elections, with the polls predicting that the Tories will win.
Two of their most high-profile politicians, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, could be at risk.
The First Minister told Sir Trevor that “local elections are always difficult for incumbent parties”, as he attacked Labour-run areas and “the rise in crime in London, raising council tax in Birmingham”. .
There is speculation that a bad night could lead to a leadership challenge. Others in the party would want him to go to the country sooner rather than continue with a divided party.
It has been a difficult weekend for Mr Sunak. On Saturday night a former health minister left for Labour.
Dr Dan Poulter crossed the floor saying the Tories no longer cared about the NHS.
In the Sunday Morning interview with Trevor Phillips, recorded before Dr Poulter was deprived, Mr Sunak was asked if the latter half of 2024 could mean July.
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The First Minister said: “I’m not going to say anything more than I’ve already said, I’ve been very clear about that.”
Pressed repeatedly on whether he was ruling out July, he said: “I’m not going to do that.
“You’re going to try to draw whatever conclusion you want from what I’m saying. I’m going to try to always say the same thing. You should listen to what I said, the same thing I’ve said all year.”
Mr Sunak also said he could wait for economic improvements to come through, in an apparent hint at a poll later in the year.
“I’m determined to make sure that people feel when the election comes that the future is better, that we’ve turned the corner,” he said.
