UK’s Sunak faces first date with voters

Author: AFP

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives are braced for heavy losses Thursday in their first major electoral test since he became the UK’s third leader in the space of a few chaotic weeks last year. In the depths of the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades, the local council elections across England will shed light on the main parties’ standing ahead of a UK-wide general election expected next year.

At the last parliamentary clash before polls opened at 7:00 am (0600 GMT), opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer on Wednesday pressed on Tory wounds after the party ditched Boris Johnson and then Liz Truss in quick succession last year. Nearly two million Britons will end up paying more on their home loans “because his party used their money as a casino chip”, Starmer told Sunak, referring to Truss’s disastrous tenure, when financial markets tanked.

In national polls, Labour has built a double-digit lead over the Conservatives, and is treating the municipal elections as a referendum on Tory rule.

Sunak tried to recast the elections — for more than 8,000 council seats across 230 English districts — back on to local issues.

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • Lifestyle

The Black Crowes enjoy Grammy Awards love again decades after first nomination

The first time Chris and Rich Robinson were at the Grammy Awards, it was 1991.…

9 hours ago
  • Lifestyle

Aagha Ali wishes Hina Altaf ‘happiness’ and ‘success’

Renowned Pakistani television actor and host Aagha Ali recently opened up about his divorce from…

9 hours ago
  • Lifestyle

‘Comedy Nights with Kapil’ was the biggest mistake of my life: Naseem Vicky

Pakistan's renowned theatre actor and comedian Naseem Vicky expressed his regret in doing 'Comedy Nights…

9 hours ago
  • Lifestyle

Neha Kakkar praises Pakistani fans, wants to collaborate with Asim Azhar

Renowned Indian playback singer Neha Kakkar has expressed her admiration for Pakistani fans and voiced…

9 hours ago
  • Lifestyle

Diljit Dosanjh beats Shahrukh Khan and Allu Arjun in UK Top 50 Asian Celebrities list

Riding on the newest high of his career, with the massive success of his global…

9 hours ago
  • Lifestyle

Javed Sheikh celebrates 50 years in showbiz with friends

Javed Sheikh has been a part of the industry for five decades. He recently celebrated…

9 hours ago