# UK General Election {2024-07-04} **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 22, 2024, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932 "2024-05-22T23:15:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/21 "2024-05-24T19:36:08Z")
And I’m pretty sure at least part of the reason that Rwanda was picked was because most people know it as “that place that had a genocide a few years back” which makes it extra scary/performatively cruel. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/22 "2024-05-24T20:05:38Z")
What immigration problem? I thought that Brexit was supposed to fix that once and for all. Wasn’t that the reason why an overwhelming majority of 50.03% of Britons voted for it? ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2024, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/23 "2024-05-25T06:08:56Z")
> [@Clawdio](#): > > The only person I’ve met that thinks immigration is no. 1 is my aunt in her 80’s who spends a lot of time in conservative bubbles online. Ironically, she spent 50+ years (her entire adult working life) living in another country, and only recently returned to the UK in her retirement years. The cognitive dissonance is astounding. Ah, but she was an **ex-pat** , and these are **immigrants** we’re talking about. Completely different. Oh yes. Ahem. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/24 "2024-05-22T20:47:06Z")
Rishi Sunak has announced the 4th July 2024 as the date of the UK General Election in a vote the ruling Conservative government are expected to lose heavily. The announcement perhaps sums up the sense of disorder and chaos that has plagued this government throughout its term as the rain thrashed down on the Prime Minister with his words drowned out by music blasted out by protesters in front of the gates of Downing Street. Sunak already looks like a defeated man and will need a miracle to remain in number 10. [![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2024/5/22/321c52b8-d7ab-405f-98a7-33a3f33cd2e3.jpg) ](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2024/5/22/321c52b8-d7ab-405f-98a7-33a3f33cd2e3.jpg) [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GOMXI4AXIAAEbkT?format=jpg&name=large) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GOMXI4AXIAAEbkT?format=jpg&name=large) Since taking office in 2010 the Conservatives have been led by five different leaders (and therefore Prime Ministers), including the disastrous Liz Truss and the deeply polarising Boris Johnson. Labour’s leader Keir Starmer has tried to make the party acceptable again after the public soundly rejected left-wing activist Jeremy Corbyn who as Labour leader could not connect with voters in the last election. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/25 "2024-05-22T20:59:17Z")
Keir still has work to do however. It’s one thing to lead the polls as the main opposition because everyone hates the ruling party, but you do actually have to get voters to put the cross next to _your_ party’s name. Which means he has to set out why people should vote for Labour. [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GOLVdEMWQAAi-if?format=jpg&name=large) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GOLVdEMWQAAi-if?format=jpg&name=large) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/26 "2024-05-22T21:00:41Z")
I am shocked. I thought those right wing populists would hang onto power as long as it was legal to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/27 "2024-05-22T21:02:07Z")
You are still not wrong. It is thought Rishi announced the election because his party were about to instigate a vote of no confidence against him. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/28 "2024-05-22T21:35:16Z")
Or it might be because inflation and possibly interest rates are on a favourable slope. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/29 "2024-05-22T21:47:50Z")
Very possibly, but why not wait for people to feel the benefit of that? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/30 "2024-05-22T23:09:50Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I thought those right wing populists would hang onto power as long as it was legal to do so. “The next United Kingdom general election must be held no later than 28 January 2025.” I mostly agree except I thought they might hold it a couple weeks or so before Christmas. ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/31 "2024-05-23T00:15:08Z")
I think you’re assessment of the motivation for the government calling the general election is flawed. I explained why in another post. > [@Rishi Sunak tries to lead the UK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rishi-sunak-tries-to-lead-the-uk/973706/795): > > UK inflation rate was announced at 2.3% this morning. First quarter growth (calendar year) was the best it’s been for two years, although only 0.6%. Employment figures have been pretty good for several months. Interest rates are predicted to go down, although before Sunak’s announcement, the majority of pundits were predicting the rate cuts would be in August rather than June. Government debt’s not in a good state, but lower inflation, a good economy and lower interest rates will support op… I think Labour will probably win the 04 July election, but it will be because the electorate is ready for a change in government, not because of hostility towards Sunak’s administration. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/32 "2024-05-23T00:23:04Z")
Has the UK typically held elections on the 4th of July? Because, seriously, the US has dibs on that day of the calendar. If this is a new thing for the UK, it had better feature countless American flags, parades and fireworks. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/33 "2024-05-23T00:33:08Z")
Damn, and we in the States think Biden’s favorable/unfavorable ratings are bad. . . ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/34 "2024-05-23T01:22:52Z")
Joe Biden is actually the most popular leader in the G7 group of rich countries. But that’s with 39% approval. Rich countries just seem to dislike their leaders for some reason. > **[Raw data: Most popular leaders in the G7 - Kevin Drum](https://jabberwocking.com/raw-data-most-popular-leaders-in-the-g7/)** > > According to Morning Consult, Joe Biden is the most popular leader in the G7 group of rich countries: > > Among all countries surveyed, only four have leaders with approval ratings over 50%: India, Argentina, Mexico, and Switzerland. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/35 "2024-05-23T02:47:17Z")
Hmm. July 4 is not exactly the most auspicious day in British history. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/36 "2024-05-23T03:07:11Z")
Meant for other thread on same subject - removed. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/37 "2024-05-23T03:23:06Z")
> [@duality72](#): > > Joe Biden is actually the most popular leader in the G7 group of rich countries. But that’s with 39% approval. Rich countries just seem to dislike their leaders for some reason. > > [Raw data: Most popular leaders in the G7 – Kevin Drum](https://jabberwocking.com/raw-data-most-popular-leaders-in-the-g7/) Yeah, these approval ratings are starting to be meaningless. ---
**Author:** ![Sandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/22d042/32.png) [@Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sandwich)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/38 "2024-05-23T13:36:25Z")
4 July isn’t any sort of date in UK history. Why all these weird comments that it has some sort of special significance? It’s a Thursday, and that’s all that’s required to be an election day. ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/39 "2024-05-23T14:05:02Z")
On Day 2 of the election: Sunak does a couple of televised “meet the ordinary people” events. At the first, it’s proven that not one but two fo the people who asked him questions - both softballs as it happens - were not mere ordinary joes but in fact elected local Conservative councillors. [Questioners at Sunak warehouse speech turn out to be Tory councillors | Rishi Sunak | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/may/23/questioners-at-sunak-warehouse-speech-turn-out-to-be-tory-councillors-derbyshire-euros-wales) In the second, he went to a brewery in Wales and asked the workers there if they were looking forward to “all the football” as it would get customers in. “The football” in this case being a reference to the upcoming Men’s Euros, a major international competition which will indeed be a major focus of sporting interest. Except in Wales, who didn’t qualify. These are relatively minor gaffes in the big scheme, but coupled with yesterday’s shambles do drive home the point that whatever Sunak’s qualities, being a campaign front man simply isn’t one of them. Which is perfectly fine, until you try to run a campaign with him as your front man. ---
**Author:** ![yendis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ed8c4c/32.png) [@yendis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yendis)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/40 "2024-05-23T14:32:18Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Hmm. July 4 is not exactly the most auspicious day in British history. Trying to doge independence days would take 56(ish) dates out of contention. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932.md?page=3)