Poll of the week: Is Rishi Sunak right to announce a general election for July 4?

Rishi Sunak’s general election announcement has evoked a strong response from Telegraph readers across the country.

Of nearly 22,000 readers who have voted in The Telegraph’s exclusive poll, 69 per cent believe that Rishi Sunak made the right decision in calling the election on July 4.

The timing of the election was the biggest shock, and readers debated whether a July 4 election would produce the best outcome for the Conservative Party.

Mark A.B. suggested Rishi Sunak made “a well-calculated decision based on many variables – mainly to minimise damage and decrease the number of Labour/Reform votes.”

He respects the Prime Minister for “persevering with decency against internal and external adversity” but although “good for a chancellor, prime ministerial shoes are too big for him.”

Ultimately, “the Tories have run out of potential leaders – this is the main cause of their impending defeat.”

The surprise element, many readers hope, will put the Tories on a stronger footing than their opponents – namely Labour and Reform UK.

An anonymous reader believes that “from a purely Tory perspective, it is not such a bad move. Reform is not fully organised nationally, and Labour support is a mile wide and an inch thick. See how that holds up when it is time to tick the box.

“The Tories will still lose, but this may be the least bad option.”

‘What’s wrong with a dignified announcement indoors?’

Similarly, Reader Martin Paling thought the election was “well timed”.

“The more people see of David Lammy, Angela Rayner and their ilk, the closer the contest will become,” he said.

Looking further afield, reader David Pearson added: “Rishi Sunak had to consider the global implications with the USA election in November. It would have been madness to have our election then too.”

The delivery of Rishi Sunak’s announcement was labelled by readers almost unanimously as disgraceful.

Reader Mrs E put it simply: “Pouring with rain and with loud music blaring out in the street. What is wrong with a dignified announcement indoors?”

Reader W.W.T was outraged: “Whoever was playing that music should be charged with noise pollution. No matter what people may think of the Government, trying to disrupt a speech by the PM with loud music is disrespectful and a cheap stunt.”

Meanwhile, reader Andy Anderson thought the moment was quite telling of the wider state of affairs. “So incompetent, they couldn’t organise somebody to hold an umbrella. It sums up perfectly the state of British politics today.”

‘The Tories were terrible, but Labour will be worse’

Telegraph readers remain broadly frustrated regarding Britain’s future amidst predictions that the Labour Party will likely win the general election.

Reader David Spenley fears “an early election defeat for the Conservatives means Labour take over a basket case country and are more likely to make an even bigger mess of it”.

Robert Crabtree added: “What achievements do the Tories have to brag about? Highest taxes since WW2. A billion more potholes, the highest national debt and interest payment and a broken NHS.”

He continued to discuss his fears over what Britain will look like under Labour’s rule: “The real problem is what will Labour give us? Either the same or worse. The Tory election motto will in reality be viewed as: we were terrible but Labour will be worse.”

However, reader Martin Hainsworth sees the early election as an opportunity for Reform to come to power. The Tories “may as well get annihilated sooner than later.

“Reform have five years to get their act together to sort out the guaranteed mess they will inherit.”

Looking ahead, reader Andrew Plater says: “Keir Starmer and Co. need to create some policies – anyone can pick the winning lottery numbers on the Monday after, which is what he and his team consistently appear to have made a parliamentary career of doing.”

While Archie Crompton thought Keir Starmer was wise to avoid committing to six debates with Rishi Sunak. “I don’t want a presidential-style election, we have been drifting too much in that direction. Keir Starmer is right to avoid this trap and should be talking about his team.”