RISHI'S SNAP ELECTION CLASHES WITH ENGLAND'S BID FOR EURO 24 GLORY
Rishi Sunak's snap election on July 4 coincides with a massive period for sport, with the Euros quarter finals taking place just a day later.
Gareth Southgate's England side are one of the favourites for this year's tournament, and the Prime Minister may be hoping against hope that a strong performance could provide a positive backdrop to the vote.
Scotland will also be competing in Euro 2024 in Germany, although Wales failed to get through the qualifying stage.
Some studies have found sporting success can generate a slightly higher share of the vote for incumbent candidates in elections - although the evidence is mixed.
A more significant consideration may be on voter turnout, with a risk people could stay at home if they are glued to their TVs to watch the first quarter finals at 5pm and 8pm on Friday July 5.
The other quarter finals will take place on Saturday at the same times.
Another additional distraction for sports fans comes in the form of the British Grand Prix, which will take place at Silverstone on Sunday, July 7.
However, polls would have long closed by this point.
Rumours about an imminent election announcement began swirling this morning amid some rare welcome news for Mr Sunak, as official figures showed inflation slowed to 2.3% in April, the lowest level since July 2021.
The rumour mill was stoked further as it emerged Defence Secretary Grant Shapps delayed a trip to the Baltic states by a few hours and Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron cut short a visit to Albania so they could attend a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
Downing Street did nothing to quell the speculation or some claims that Mr Sunak could instead announce a reshuffle of his top team, with questions over Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's political fate.
Labour had urged the Prime Minister to 'get on with it' and trigger a general election which Britons are 'crying out for'.
It follows a difficult period for the Conservatives, who have suffered two defections by backbench MPs and a drubbing at the local elections earlier this month.
Polls continue to suggest the Tories are on course to lose the next election, with Labour retaining a double-digit lead.
