Â鶹ӰÊÓ

World

    • 'Time to choose': U.K. prime minister calls national election for July 4

    Share
    LONDON -

    British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a national election on Wednesday for July 4, saying Britons would be able to choose their future in a vote his

    Conservatives are widely expected to lose to the opposition Labour Party after 14 years in power. 

    Almost shouting to be heard above an anthem of Labour's election victory in 1997 under former prime minister Tony Blair being played by protesters outside Downing Street's gates, Sunak listed what he said were his achievements in government, not only as prime minister but also as a former finance minister.

    "Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future and decide whether it wants to build on the progress we have made or risk going back to square one and no certainty," he said.

    "Over the next few weeks, I will fight for every vote, I will earn your trust and I will prove to you that only a Conservative government led by me will not put our hard-earned economic stability at risk."

    He accused Labour leader Keir Starmer, conversely, of always taking the "easy way out" and of having no plan. "As a result, the future can only be uncertain with them," he said.

    Starmer, who has pulled Labour to the political center ground after it had veered leftwards, responded with a statement that focused on one word: "change."

    "On July 4 you (voters) have the choice and together we can stop the chaos, we can turn the page, we can start to rebuild Britain and change our country," he said, in front of two Union Jack flags. 

    Sunak trailing

    Sunak heads into the election not only trailing far behind Labour in the opinion polls but also somewhat isolated from some in his party, increasingly dependent on a small team of advisers to steer him through what is set to be an ugly campaign. 

    Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addresses a press conference in Warsaw, Poland, on Tuesday April 23, 2024. (Henry Nicholls, Pool Photo / The Associated Press)

    But he seems to have decided that, with some economic gains such as falling inflation and an economy growing at its fastest pace in almost three years, now is the time to take a risk and present his agenda for a new term formally to voters.

    "Labour want you to think that this election is over before it has even begun," Sunak told a rally, hosted in an east London exhibition center and attended by senior ministers and supporters, hours after the formal election announcement.

    "The British people are going to show Labour that they don't take too kindly to being taken for granted."

    Several in his party said Sunak might also have realized that legal challenges could jeopardize a flagship scheme to send illegal asylum seekers to Rwanda and that the government might not be able to deliver on any more tax cuts as promised.

    Conservative lawmakers, speaking on condition of anonymity, said economic conditions may worsen, meaning the time was right for an election, but others were shocked by the decision to bring it forward from an expected autumn date. The vote has to be held before the end of January next year.

    "It was good while it lasted," said one of them.

    A former investment banker and finance minister, Sunak took office less than two years ago, and since then has struggled to define what he stands for, becoming increasingly frustrated that what he sees as his successes have failed to be appreciated.

    Sunak has tried several times to turn around his party's fortunes by recasting himself as a bold reformer, then as an effective technocrat and, most recently, as someone who will "stick to the plan" to gradually improve lives in Britain, where millions are still struggling with the cost of living crisis.

    Both parties have all but kicked off campaigning for an election, with the attack lines on the economy and on defense already firmly drawn.

    Sunak and his government accuse Labour of being poised to increase taxes if in government and that the party would not be a safe pair of hands for Britain in an increasingly dangerous world as it lacks a plan, charges the opposition denies.

    Labour accuses the government of 14 years of economic mismanagement, leaving people worse off, with a series of chaotic administrations that have failed to give the stability businesses have craved to spur economic growth. 

    If Labour, which is running about 20 percentage points ahead of the Conservatives, win the election, Britain, once known for its political stability, will have had six prime ministers in eight years for the first time since the 1830s.

    Challenge

    Despite Labour's lead, some party officials are concerned their advantage is not as solid as it appears, fearing many voters remain undecided. They also know the challenge: the party needs a record swing in votes to win a parliamentary majority.

    Labour has yet to complete the selection of all its parliamentary candidates, a party veteran said.

    Sunak might be hoping the first flights in the scheme to send illegal asylum seekers to Rwanda could boost his party's fortunes. The earliest possible date for those flights is June 24, 10 days before the election.

    If they don't take off, one Conservative lawmaker said, Sunak could then blame "leftist lawyers." 

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    On the same day Chip Wilson erected a controversial sign at his Vancouver mansion, the city was quietly honouring the billionaire and his wife.

    Susan Holt is set to be officially sworn-in as New Brunswick’s 35th premier Saturday afternoon.

    The impact of Trump's lies in Springfield, Ohio

    Springfield, Ohio was once a manufacturing hub. Now, people know it for Trump's comments at September's presidential debate, when he famously - and falsely - told an audience of 67 million people that Haitians eat their pets, echoing claims that had circulated on social media.

    Some 6,000 United Conservative Party members are in Red Deer for the party's annual convention and will cast their votes today on what they think of Premier Danielle Smith's leadership so far.

    CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at what you can buy for the average Ottawa home price of $729,000 in eight Ottawa neighbourhoods.

    Canada

    • CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at what you can buy for the average Ottawa home price of $729,000 in eight Ottawa neighbourhoods.

    • Susan Holt is set to be officially sworn-in as New Brunswick’s 35th premier Saturday afternoon.

    • Some 6,000 United Conservative Party members are in Red Deer for the party's annual convention and will cast their votes today on what they think of Premier Danielle Smith's leadership so far.

    • On the same day Chip Wilson erected a controversial sign at his Vancouver mansion, the city was quietly honouring the billionaire and his wife.

    • A Quebec religious group headed by a man who lost his son to suicide has filed a constitutional challenge against the municipality of Waterloo after it was ticketed for going door-to-door to share its message about suicide prevention.

    • Police in the Montreal area say they are investigating two cases of needles being found in children's Halloween candy and are asking residents to be vigilant.

    World

    Politics

    Health

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

    Business

    Lifestyle

    Sports

    Autos

    Local Spotlight

    A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

    A Windsor teen’s social media post showing off a distinctive Windsor pizza topping has gone viral, drawing millions of views worldwide and sparking new curiosity about Windsor-style pizza.

    Auston Matthews has come face to face with his look-alike. On Thursday, the Maple Leafs star met seven-year-old Grayson Joseph, who went viral for dressing up as an Auston Matthews hockey card.

    A Halifax junk remover shares some of his company’s strangest discoveries.

    When Leah arrived at work directing traffic around a construction site, she never expected to see a van painted in all sorts of bright colours, and covered in eclectic decorations, including a stuffed moose attached to its roof.

    After 14 years of repairing and selling bicycles out of the garage of her home, a Guelph, Ont. woman’s efforts have ended – for now, at least.

    Epcor says it has removed more than 20,000 goldfish from an Edmonton stormwater pond.

    Witches and warlocks have been flocking to New Brunswick waterways this month, as a new Halloween tradition ripples across the province.

    New Brunswicker Jillea Godin’s elaborate cosplay pieces attract thousands to her online accounts, as well as requests from celebrities for their own pieces.

    • A section of Vancouver’s Stanley Park’s seawall will be closed throughout November to allow for the further removal of hemlock trees.

    • A pedestrian was taken to hospital in critical condition after a crash in Surrey Friday night.

    • Heavy rain isn't unusual for the community of Deep Cove in North Vancouver, but when Ashifa Saferali saw an e-bike floating down the middle of the street she knew this storm was something different.

    • Police charged two more people in connection with a fatal shooting that happened in Brampton back in August.

    • A man is in serious, life-threatening condition following a stabbing in Mississauga, paramedics say.

    • Peel police are investigating a suspicious incident in Mississauga after a video emerged of someone appearing to have been restrained.

    • He inspired thousands of young journalists and continued telling Calgarians' stories until his last days.

    • Calgary police issued a media statement Saturday reminding residents about the rules regarding personal fireworks after receiving over 150 complaints.

    • An affordable housing project is being built in northeast Calgary.

    • Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe announced 10 new initiatives to improve the quality of life for rural communities at the Rural Summit 2024 Saturday.

    • This is the third and final weekend of planned shutdowns on the Confederation Line this fall, as OC Transpo and Rideau Transit Group address rail corrugation on the five-year-old north-south LRT line.

    • CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at what you can buy for the average Ottawa home price of $729,000 in eight Ottawa neighbourhoods.

    • The city is enlisting private security guards to patrol Chinatown, the Village, and Old Montreal as part of a new strategy to tackle crime.

    • A Quebec religious group headed by a man who lost his son to suicide has filed a constitutional challenge against the municipality of Waterloo after it was ticketed for going door-to-door to share its message about suicide prevention.

    • It's that time of year again when we turn the clocks backward and gain that extra hour of much needed sleep.

    • Some 6,000 United Conservative Party members are in Red Deer for the party's annual convention and will cast their votes today on what they think of Premier Danielle Smith's leadership so far.

    • Two people are dead after the truck they were in crashed into a semi on Highway 831 south of Waskatenau on Friday.

    • As the holiday season approaches, drivers are being asked to consider the danger of getting behind the wheel after one too many drinks. 

    • Susan Holt is set to be officially sworn-in as New Brunswick’s 35th premier Saturday afternoon.

    • A seniors advocacy group says it is very concerned about a decision by Nova Scotia's elections agency not to mail voter information cards because of the threat of a postal strike.

    • Montreal-based company Westcliff Management, a privately owned real estate development and management company, officially own Dieppe’s Champlain Place Mall as of Halloween.

    • Manitoba RCMP are looking for more information after the remains of an infant were identified.

    • Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is not making any commitments on possible new municipal taxes in Winnipeg.

    • As the weather begins to cool down across Manitoba, it’s the perfect time to cozy up under a blanket with a nice, warm cup of tea.

    • Voting day for Regina’s civic and school board elections is fast approaching, here’s all you need to know ahead of election day.

    • Carmichael Outreach is opening its door all night to provide a warming shelter. This time, it will be all winter long.

    • Swift Current RCMP are looking for two men after a 'serious assault' in the city early Tuesday morning.

    • Erick Buhr has asked the jury to find him not guilty in his grandmother Viola Erb’s death.

    • Waterloo Regional Police say charges are anticipated after a tow truck operator was seriously injured helping a disabled vehicle on the side of Trussler Road in North Dumfries Friday afternoon.

    • Waterloo Regional Police are warning the public after two separate chocolate bars were found lodged with a needle and toothpick in Cambridge.

    • A Saskatchewan father is disappointed with the results from an autopsy, conducted on his son's body.

    • The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) is issuing a public warning about a potentially fatal batch of cocaine circulating in the city.

    • The family of a man shot and seriously injured at a jobsite 14 kilometres north of Prince Albert late last week is speaking out.

    • An Ontario woman is facing serious charges after police allege she pretended to be a registered nurse at several Simcoe County facilities, despite being unqualified.

    • James Bay Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision on Belanger Road North Road in Kapuskasing involving a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle.

    • A traffic stop early Friday morning in Cochrane ended with impaired driving charges, as well as stunt driving.

    • As Domestic Violence Awareness Month kicked off, survivors and their allies gathered at Lambton Mall in Sarnia, Ont. to not only bring attention to the abuse, but also raise money for the local shelter.

    • The Woodstock Police Service is looking for public help in a fatal vehicle collision investigation.

    • As daylight saving time comes to an end in the early morning hours of Sunday, fire officials in the region are reminding everyone to change smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries.

    • An Ontario woman is facing serious charges after police allege she pretended to be a registered nurse at several Simcoe County facilities, despite being unqualified.

    • Constable Katy Viccary from Nottawasaga OPP and Cathy Eisener from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) were recognized this week for their ongoing excellence in community service.

    • A tow operator in the Peel region was charged by OPP this week for allegedly being in possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

    • A pedestrian has suffered life-threatening injuries after a collision with a vehicle.

    • A commemorative walk held in Harrow, Ont., on Saturday morning honoured a mother and her two children, who were killed in June.

    • As daylight saving time comes to an end in the early morning hours of Sunday, fire officials in the region are reminding everyone to change smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries.

    • Heavy rain isn't unusual for the community of Deep Cove in North Vancouver, but when Ashifa Saferali saw an e-bike floating down the middle of the street she knew this storm was something different.

    • A Vancouver Island woman who refused to accept her daughter died of an accidental overdose is relieved the record has been set straight.

    • Police on southern Vancouver Island are issuing a warning about the dangers of deer rutting season after a dog was gored to death by a buck earlier this week.

    • Police in Kamloops, B.C., are reminding parents and guardians to check their children's Halloween candy after receiving a report of a mother finding a razor blade in one of her daughter's treats.

    • More than two years after Alannah Brown and Douglas Barker were found dead north of Penticton, police are asking for help identifying a vehicle they believe was associated with the crime.

    • Dave Lindsey began growing giant pumpkins to bring a bit of magic to his grandkids' Halloween.

    • Lethbridge County and the towns of Coalhurst, Nobleford and Picture Butte and the village of Barons have signed a new regional emergency management partnership agreement.

    • As overnight temperatures continue to dip below freezing, the City of Lethbridge has launched its second annual snow route season ahead of winter.

    • The University of Lethbridge Pronghorn Athletics Annual Safe Ride Home campaign is making a return this year, but with a new name.

    • Police in Sault Ste. Marie say a suspect in a vehicle gave out Halloween candy that appears to have been tampered with.

    • More than half of Ontario's 480 wildfires last summer were in northeastern Ontario, according to new data from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

    • A 40-year-old suspect has been charged with sexual assault following an incident Wednesday in Sault Ste. Marie.

    N.L.

    Shopping Trends

    The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at Â鶹ӰÊÓ. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.

    Stay Connected
    Follow Â鶹ӰÊÓ