Rishi Sunak drowned out by protesters playing 'Things Can Only Get Better' as he announces snap election
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Rishi Sunak was drowned out by protesters playing “Things Can Only Get Better” as he announced a snap general election.
The Prime Minister announced a summer election in the pouring rain for Thursday July 4 in a shock announcement outside Downing Street on Wednesday.
In a seven-minute speech in heavy rain he described how he vowed he has "never and will never leave the people of this country to face the darkest of days alone".
The D:Ream hit could be heard blaring from a speaker over Downing Street as Mr Sunak spoke about how “when we work together anything is possible” and the UK’s improving economy.
The song, associated with Labour's landslide general election victory under Tony Blair in 1997, could be heard clearly over the Prime Minister, leading one Liberal Democrat source to joke “things can only get wetter”.
Hours earlier Mr Sunak had insisted again that the general election would take place in the second half of the year amid mounting speculation he could have his eye on a summer polling day.
Making the announcement Mr Sunak also attacked the Labour Party and Sir Keir Starmer, saying they lacked a plan for the country.
He said: "I hope that my work since I became Prime Minister shows that we have a plan and are prepared to take bold action necessary for our country to flourish.”
In response Labour immediately responded with a slickly produced video on social media that detailed Britain's economic and social ills under 14 years of Tory rule.
Sir Keir Starmer delivered a one-word tweet over the video: "Change."
Downing Street confirmed Parliament will be prorogued on Friday 24 May and dissolution will take place on Thursday 30 May.
The election will take place on July 4 as the European Championships enter the later stages of the tournament.
Downing Street added: “The new Parliament will be summoned to meet on Tuesday 9 July, when the first business will be the election of the Speaker and the swearing-in of members, and the State Opening will be on Wednesday 17 July."
