UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday insisted that his beleaguered Conservative Party can win a general election despite polls consistently indicating the opposite, but refused to set a date for the vote.
Sunak mounted a defence of the Tories’ 14 years in power and warned that Britain would be less safe under Keir Starmer’s Labour opposition, which is widely tipped to come back to power.
The UK leader said he was “confident” his ruling party would win a fifth consecutive term but conceded that Labour, out of government since 2010, may ultimately inflict defeat.
“I’m clear-eyed enough to admit that, yes, maybe they can depress their way to victory,” Sunak said in a speech in central London, accusing Labour of “scaremongering” and “gaslighting”.
The next few years will be some of the most dangerous yet most transformational our country has ever known
“But I don’t think it will work, because at heart we are a nation of optimists,” he added, before warning of several dangers himself.
Sunak cited Russia’s war in Europe, Iran’s firing of missiles in the Middle East and the uncertainty posed by artificial intelligence as threats.
He also referred to “authoritarian” states including China and North Korea, Scottish nationalists who want to break away from the United Kingdom and “cancel culture”.
“Our country stands at a crossroads,” he said.
“I’m convinced that the next few years will be some of the most dangerous yet most transformational our country has ever known,” Sunak added.
Sunak’s speech at the right-wing Policy Exchange think-tank is a clear pre-election pitch to voters, as Labour increasingly puts flesh on the bones of its policies before a manifesto launch.
But he refused again to be drawn on when he will call the vote, repeating his well-trodden line that it will be in the second half of the year.
Sunak can go to the polls no later than January 2025.
Labour has enjoyed double-digit leads over the Tories in surveys since the disastrous short-lived premiership of Liz Truss that ended in October 2022, and inflicted heavy losses on the Conservatives in local elections earlier this month.
The opposition has pledged to run the economy responsibly and hopes to match Sunak’s pledge to raise defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP.
But the prime minister argued that only his party can protect Britons’ safety and financial security.
“There are storms ahead, the dangers are all too real,” said Sunak.
“But Britain can feel proud again, Britain can feel confident again, because with bold action and a clear plan, we can, and we will, create a secure future.”