Rishi Sunak warns UK entering dangerous era as he delivers desperate pre-election pitch to voters

Rishi Sunak is staging another relaunch of his premiership with a general election on the horizon, promising “bold ideas” to “create a more secure future for you and your family”.

In a desperate speech to voters after this month’s local elections, the Prime Minister will pledge to “restore the confidence and pride of the people in our country”.

And he will emphasize that “there will be more changes in the next five years than in the last thirty years”, the next years being among the most dangerous the country has ever known, adding that he felt “a deep feeling emergency”.

In what Downing Street called a “major” speech in central London, the Prime Minister will say: “Our country stands at a crossroads.

“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.

“How we respond to these changes – not only to keep people safe, but also to seize opportunities – will determine whether or not Britain succeeds in the years to come.

“And that’s the choice the country faces.”

The light-hearted speech will be an attempt to draw a line with Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer, who is set to take the keys to Downing Street later this year.

Mr Sunak will seek to portray Labor as having “old ideas, old thoughts and nothing positive to say”, No10 sources suggested. And he will promise that Conservatives are ready to meet the challenges ahead and seize the opportunities they present.

In his speech, Mr Sunak will say: “I have bold ideas that can change our society for the better and restore people’s confidence and pride in our country.

“I feel a deep sense of urgency. Because there will be more changes in the next five years than in the last thirty years.

“I am confident that the next few years will be some of the most dangerous and transformational our country has ever seen. »

The prime minister is expected to hold a general election in October or November and faces an uphill battle with Labor regularly 20 points ahead in the polls.

He tried last week to win over disgruntled Tory MPs after a stunning series of local election defeats, including incumbent West Midlands mayor Andy Street losing to Labor’s Richard Parker.

The prime minister told nervous backbenchers that his economic plan was working and the party had all the cards to play.

It was supported on Friday by official figures showing the economy grew 0.6 percent in the first quarter, ending a technical recession recorded in the last half of last year.

And on Monday, he will try to convince voters, touting his leadership in areas such as security. The Prime Minister will pledge to protect the UK against threats of war, a global rise in immigration and “those who seek to undermine our shared values ​​and identities”, according to Downing Street.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said on Sunday it would be “absolutely right” for the general election to take place in the second half of the year to give voters time to see that “the economic plan is working”.

Speaking about the Conservatives’ chances, Lord Cameron told Sky News: “I think you have a very clear choice opening up, and that’s what happens at the end of a parliamentary term. day and it starts to be a choice between two teams.”

The Prime Minister’s latest attempt at revival comes after a devastating week in which he was rocked by the defection of right-wing Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke.

She marched across the House of Commons, attacking Mr Sunak’s “tired and chaotic government” and accusing him of failing to keep his promise to “stop the boats”, adding that the party Labor “would bring a much better future to our country”. country”.

Reacting to the Prime Minister’s speech tomorrow, Labour’s shadow chancellor Pat McFadden said the Conservatives “can’t solve the country’s problems because they are the problem”.

He added: “Nothing the Prime Minister says will change the fact that over the last fourteen years the Conservatives have brought costly chaos to the country, with this Parliament being the only one in living memory where the level of the population will be lower at the end of the year. more than the beginning.