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TEST TIME?
Rishi Sunak fails to dampen swirling rumours he’s about to call General Election after Tories’ inflation boost
IF he called an election today he could hold it in July - which technically would be the second half of the year
RISHI Sunak today failed to dampen fevered speculation he could call a snap general election.
Westminster's rumour mill went into overdrive this morning as No10 refused to rule out an imminent announcement.
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Asked directly by SNP leader Stephen Flynn if he was poised to go to the country, Mr Sunak dodged the question.
He told MPs at PMQs: "As I have said repeatedly, there is, spoiler alert, there is going to be a general election in the second half of the year."
If he called an election today he could hold it on July 4 at the earliest - which technically would be the second half of the year.
Going on the attack, Mr Sunak added: "At that moment, the British people will in fact see the truth about the honourable gentleman opposite me because that will be the choice at the next election.
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"A party that is not able to say to the country what they would do, a party that will put at risk our harder economic stability, or the Conservatives that are delivering a secure future for our United Kingdom."
His press secretary also failed to deny rampant rumours this afternoon.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt - whose future is unclear - also pulled out of a telly interview due tonight.
The smart money has been on Mr Sunak calling it in the autumn to let the economy improve and get Rwanda flights off the ground.
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But today’s news that inflation has effectively fallen back to its 2 per cent target set hares running he could use it as a springboard to launch a summer campaign.
The PM can call an election whenever he wants provided he gives the King and voters 28 working days notice.
He has consistently said it was his “working assumption” to hold an election in the second half of the year.
A Cabinet meeting has been called for 4pm after yesterday's usual slot was postponed because of the PM's Vienna trip.
Britain has to buckle up for “one of the most dangerous periods we have ever known”, the PM insists
As the Westminster rumour mill went into overdrive, the BBC’s Political Editor Chris Mason said he was “twitchy” about a possible announcement.
Odds for a July election were slashed, with Betfair putting a July poll at 10/11 compared with 16/1 a month ago.
The Tories are trailing Labour in the polls by around 20 points and suffered a bruising set of local elections this month.
But trumpeting the fall in inflation today, the PM said: "Today marks a major moment for the economy, with inflation back to normal.
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“This is proof that the plan is working and that the difficult decisions we have taken are paying off.
“Brighter days are ahead, but only if we stick to the plan to improve economic security and opportunity for everyone.”
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