There have been several moments at Westminster in recent months when rumours about a surprise election being called have spiked. It is happening again this morning, but this time speculation is edging towards the top of the Richter scale. As Pippa Crerar pointed out early, Jeremy Hunt’s response to a question on this this morning did nothing to quell election fever. Perhaps a more significant piece of evidence came in the final minute of the Today programme this morning, when Chris Mason, the BBC’s political editor, revealed that for the past 12 hours or so he has not been able to get anyone in Downing Street to say Rishi Sunak won’t be calling an election. Another theory is that Sunak might announce a reshuffle this afternoon. With Chris Heaton-Harris, the Northern Ireland secretary, announcing at the weekend that he is standing down at the election, there might be a case for one. But it would be pointless having a wide-ranging reshuffle at this point, with an election due within months anyway, and a minor reshuffle would not be enough to put the Westminster ecosystem on high alert, which is where it is heading now.
Rishi Sunak faces Keir Starmer at PMQs – UK politics live | Politics
Sunak faces Starmer at PMQs as Westminster gripped by rumours PM might call election
Rishi Sunak will be taking PMQs soon. And he will address a chamber even more feverish than usual, because of the election speculation.
Here is the list of MPs down to ask a question.
PMQs Photograph: HoCShare
Updated at 11.52 BST
Key events
Elliot Colburn (Con) asks about the inflation figures. Will the PM recommit to working to build a new hospital in his constituency.
Sunak says the government is investing in better healthcare across the country. There is investment in Carshalton and Wallington, he says.
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Gen Kitchen (Lab) asks Sunak about dental deserts. She says the government plan to send dental vans to constituenies is a good one, but the government has had to U-turn because there are not enough vans.
Sunak says that is not right. The plan is delivering, he says. Over 500 more dental practices are accepting new patients.
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Rishi Sunak says it is seven years since the Manchester Arena bombing. He pays tribute to the victim. And he welcomes Craig Mackinlay back to the Commons.
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At the start of PMQs Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker, welcomes Craig Mackinlay back. He says Mackinlay is an inspiration to people who have suffered from sepsis. There is another round of applause.
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Tory MP Craig Mackinlay receives standing ovation after he returns to Commons following amputation of hands and feet
In the Commons the Tory MP Craig Mackinlay has just arrived.
He is getting a standing ovation from MPs from all sides, with applause. I can’t think of any precedent of an MP getting a reception like that on their arrival in the chamber.
Yesterday Mackinlay revealed that has revealed that he has both his hands and feet amputated last year due to sepsis. Today is his first time back in the chamber since falling ill last year.
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This is from the Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael on the election rumours.
As all the rumours swirl, it has to be said:
It would be absolutely “peak Sunak” to call an election not because the polls have improved for the Tories, but because economic figures have shifted just enough so the public “ought” to be happy with him.
— Alistair Carmichael MP (@amcarmichaelMP) May 22, 2024
As all the rumours swirl, it has to be said:
It would be absolutely “peak Sunak” to call an election not because the polls have improved for the Tories, but because economic figures have shifted just enough so the public “ought” to be happy with him.
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One option for Rishi Sunak would be to announce the date of the general election now – but not call it immediately. There is an argument that that might help him, because it would quash speculation about the timing.
George Osborne recommended this approach earlier this year.
But the speculation at Westminster is about Sunak calling an election now – for Thursday 4 July.
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Sunak faces Starmer at PMQs as Westminster gripped by rumours PM might call election
Rishi Sunak will be taking PMQs soon. And he will address a chamber even more feverish than usual, because of the election speculation.
Here is the list of MPs down to ask a question.
PMQs Photograph: HoCShare
Updated at 11.52 BST
Here is more chatter from journalists about the possibility of an election being called today.
This is from Jason Groves, the Daily Mail’s political editor.
Westminster rumour mill in overdrive that Sunak is about to call election for July 4. May yet prove to be unfounded but No 10 currently silent on the question
— Jason Groves (@JasonGroves1) May 22, 2024
Westminster rumour mill in overdrive that Sunak is about to call election for July 4. May yet prove to be unfounded but No 10 currently silent on the question
And this is from Chris Smyth, Whitehall editor at the Times.
There is Cabinet meeting this afternoon and lots of talk in Whitehall that announcement will come after
Silence from the centre
Some say July 4. But intriguing suggestion from some that the date set may be after the summer. Or even reshuffle
But something is definitely up
There is Cabinet meeting this afternoon and lots of talk in Whitehall that announcement will come after
Silence from the centre
Some say July 4. But intriguing suggestion from some that the date set may be after the summer. Or even reshuffle
But something is definitely up https://t.co/ZdgMrYBbsl
— Chris Smyth (@Smyth_Chris) May 22, 2024
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There have been several moments at Wesminster in recent months when rumours about a surprise election being called have spiked. It is happening again this morning, but this time speculation is edging towards the top of the Richter scale.
As Pippa Crerar pointed out early, Jeremy Hunt’s response to a question on this this morning did nothing to quell election fever. (See 10.21am.) Perhaps a more significant piece of evidence came in the final minute of the Today programme this morning, when Chris Mason, the BBC’s political editor, revealed that for the past 12 hours or so he has not been able to get anyone in Downing Street to say Rishi Sunak won’t be calling an election.
Another theory is that Sunak might announce a reshuffle this afternoon. With Chris Heaton-Harris, the Northern Ireland secretary, announcing at the weekend that he is standing down at the election, there might be a case for one. But it would be pointless having a wide-ranging reshuffle at this point, with an election due within months anyway, and a minor reshuffle would not be enough to put the Westminster ecosystem on high alert, which is where it is heading now.
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Read the full story on www.theguardian.com
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2024/may/22/labour-tories-police-prison-overcrowding-crisis-pmqs-rishi-sunak-keir-starmer-uk-politics-latest-updates