United Kingdom General Election: July 4, 2024

[IceAgeComing]

A question; will the ‘purdah’ rules which mean that the Government can’t act politically during a GE mean that deportation flights to Rwanda can’t happen?

There’s a very good argument they’re a political act in theory

My understanding is that the flights could go ahead as that is the existing law and policy of the government - but also that you are unlikely to see the Home Office boasting about it on social media (because government communications are limited) and that if there are legal challenges then the caretaker government (which is the Civil Service; and Ministers in post that can act is very limited ways) aren't going to make any active changes to policies. I could be wrong - I believe the official pre-election period starts tomorrow (probably de jure as of 5pm but in reality everyone in the Civil Service was watching the speech and went home or to the pub afterwards) and will go on until it is clear who the government will be; but I am not 100% sure.

[Skye]

I'm glad to have waited to see this historically disastrous announcement live.

[Mike88]

One possible reason (amongst others) for going now and for the sudden announcement (let’s not call it snap) is to avoid giving Reform time to get a proper campaign together and candidates in place across the country. Won’t change the end result, but a more hastily organised Reform effort might help save the furniture in some places.

Probably, but wanting to end their misery is also a possible reason.

[All Along The Watchtower]

Happy 4th of July (UK)

[President Johnson]

Interesting date. While I'm glad this means this dumpsterfire of a government is about the end, I wouldn't have picked an election date in July. I would have gone for late September or October, when most people have returned from summer vacation. Autumn is actually the best season for holding elections.

[TheTide]

First (I think?) retirement announcement since the announcement is actually from a Labour MP. She has been the MP for Halifax since 2015.

https://twitter.com/HollyLynch5/status/1793352853538369564

[Joe Republic]

Happy 4th of July (UK)

Happy Inept Pedants Day!

[Logical]

I wonder if Seb Payne will manage to weasel himself into a safe seat now.

[afleitch]

Sky News just forcibly removed from Tory campaign launch.

[Torrain]

I wonder if Seb Payne will manage to weasel himself into a safe seat now.

He’s reportedly been part of the scrum of candidates that descended on Stratford upon Avon after Zahawi’s retirement. 

[JimJamUK]

I wonder if Seb Payne will manage to weasel himself into a safe seat now.

Tory chairman Richard Holden is also sniffing round for a seat. He had a strong claim to stand in the redrawn Bishop Auckland with a 15% Tory majority (much safer than his current seat), but, well, he clearly wants a much safer seat than that given the circumstances.

[Zinneke]

Sky News just forcibly removed from Tory campaign launch.

Were other media allowed?

[Estrella]

Who on God’s green Earth is in charge of this campaign? Like, this is almost Lettucean.

https://twitter.com/michaelocyoung/status/1793362133561786424
https://twitter.com/politlcsuk/status/1793359914137464960

[bore]

This has very much been the Four Seasons Total Landscaping of campaign launches.

[WD]

So far, not the campaign of a party that is going to meaningfully narrow their polling deficit. The opposite, if anything.

[Antonio the Sixth]

So the Brits get to declare their independence from the Tories on July 4th. Took them long enough but better late than never!

[Pericles]

Sunak being soaked in the rain really sets the mood. What a classic moment.

[Oryxslayer]

https://Twitter.com/tomorrowsmps/status/1793336678096019874?t=QU1_O62L4ZAVCm0P6r...

Selections are going to come fast now. Here's the Lib-Dems choosing someone asap for a target seat. And Corbyns former seat becomes even more of a stitch-up:

https://twitter.com/tomorrowsmps/status/1793378252154913030?t=l8uSukHrwSpAga0xdI...

[LAB-LIB]

https://twitter.com/christopherhope/status/1793382405203456276

I think they just have a death wish at this point

[Storr]

https://twitter.com/JimmySecUK/status/1793336499703783747

[Sestak]

https://twitter.com/christopherhope/status/1793382405203456276

I think they just have a death wish at this point

Obviously it’s unrealistic, but can you imagine? Would possibly make this sequence the funniest thing to happen in modern British history. At least top five.

[Pres Mike]

What made Sunak decide to have a July election?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I wonder if Seb Payne will manage to weasel himself into a safe seat now.

Tory chairman Richard Holden is also sniffing round for a seat. He had a strong claim to stand in the redrawn Bishop Auckland with a 15% Tory majority (much safer than his current seat), but, well, he clearly wants a much safer seat than that given the circumstances.

There's only one seat in the region of his present constituency that looks like it might be safe (which isn't the same as 'might be held', needless to say) under present circumstances and the incumbent isn't old, though who knows. More available in the region that he is originally from, of course...

[MABA 2020]

What made Sunak decide to have a July election?

He's bad at politics and incredibly arrogant

[WD]

Would kill to see what’s being said in the WhatsApp group chats right now.