British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reacts as he leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on May 8, 2024.
Adrien Dennis | Afp | Getty Images
LONDON — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will say Monday that Britain is at a crossroads and needs bold new ideas as he seeks to revive waning support for his ruling Conservative party ahead of the elections. general elections.
In a speech to be delivered in central London, Sunak will say the coming years will be some of the most difficult in Britain’s history, with threats such as war, migration and technology expected to intensify.
Speaking on the eve of national elections due later this year – although the date has not yet been set – Sunak will argue he is the best person to deal with these threats.
“I feel a deep sense of urgency because there will be more change in the next five years than in the last 30 years,” he will say, according to a preview of the speech cited by Sky News.
“I am convinced that the coming years will be among the most dangerous and transformational our country has ever known,” he added.
Downing Street called the remarks a “major speech” but did not provide details of the specific proposals when contacted by CNBC.
Aides told the Guardian that Sunak had wanted to give this speech for some time. However, these comments have become all the more urgent as the outgoing president’s political future hangs in the balance following poor Conservative results in local elections earlier this month, as well as a series of defections by Conservative MPs to the opposition Labor Party.
Current opinion polls put Labor up to 30 points ahead of the Conservatives, and at least 64 Conservative MPs have announced they will stand down at the general election.
Labor said the Conservatives could not solve the UK’s problems because “they are the problem”.
But Sunak, who has made tackling illegal immigration and capitalizing on the prospects of artificial intelligence as key tenets of his premiership, will insist he can move the country forward.
“Our country is at a crossroads,” he said. “Over the next few years, from our democracy to our economy to our society – to the most difficult questions of war and peace – almost every aspect of our lives will change.”
“I have bold ideas that can improve our society and restore people’s confidence and pride in our country.”
It is unclear when Britons will go to the polls, but Sunak has indicated a vote could be called in the autumn. By law, the next UK general election must take place no later than January 28, 2025.
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