- Written by Sam Francis & Nick Ardley
- bbc politics
Rishi Sunak said in a pre-election pitch to voters on Monday that the UK was “at a crossroads” ahead of its “most dangerous years”.
In his speech, the Prime Minister will claim that his “bold ideas” can “create a safer future” for Brits.
Labor said the Conservative Party could not solve Britain’s problems because “the problem lies with Britain itself”.
According to national opinion polls, Labor has a 20 point lead over the Conservatives when it comes to voting intentions in the general election.
In a speech in London, Mr Sunak will argue that voters face tough choices about who will lead the country through its “most dangerous but most transformative years ever”.
The prime minister is trying to portray himself as the best person to deal with the post-election challenges expected by the end of the year.
The Prime Minister will say he has “bold ideas” that can “create a safer future” for Britons and restore “confidence and pride in our country”.
“I have a deep sense of alarm because there will be more change in the next five years than in the last 30 years,” he said.
Mr Sunak will vow to protect Britain from the threat of war, rising global immigration and “those who seek to undermine our shared values and identity”.
And we are committed to leveraging the opportunities presented by technologies such as artificial intelligence.
He would say: “In the coming years, almost every aspect of our lives will change, from democracy to economics and society to the most difficult issues of war and peace.
“How we act in the face of these changes, not only to keep people safe and secure but also to realize opportunity, will determine whether the UK succeeds in the years ahead. right.
“And this is the choice this country faces.”
Labour’s national campaign co-ordinator, Pat McFadden, said: “No matter what the Prime Minister says, the fact remains that the Conservative Party has wrought costly chaos on this country for the past 14 years.” .
He added: “The only way to stop the chaos, turn the page and start rebuilding is through a change of government.”
Downing Street claimed Mr Sunak has a track record of delivering bold solutions, from furloughing during the pandemic to the Rwanda scheme first launched by Boris Johnson’s government.
The Prime Minister has been trying to convince voters that Britain’s economic prospects are improving in a bid to reverse the Conservative Party’s electoral fortunes.
Whether today’s rallying call will be enough to persuade depressed Conservative MPs, or voters, is another question.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron insisted on Sunday that it was “absolutely right” to hold a general election in the second half of this year to give voters time to see “our economic plan is working”.
Last week’s official figures showed economic growth was 0.6% compared to the first quarter, indicating an end to the technical recession recorded in the second half of last year.
But Mr Sunak has faced repeated setbacks, including the results of recent local elections. His anguish deepened when he left the party in protest of Natalie Elphike’s record on housing and stopping cross-Channel skiffs. He is the second Labor MP to defect from the Conservative Party in recent weeks.
