Election? What election? British public reveal they'd rather be watching the Euros and enjoying the summer booze and barbecues than vote on July 4 - as one woman admits she has no idea who Rishi Sunak is

23/05/2024

Follow MailOnline's live coverage of the election as campaigns get under way

Brits across the country have revealed they are more concerned about watching the Euros and enjoying the summer booze and barbecues this summer rather than voting in the general election.

Members of the public have revealed that heading to the polls on July 4 is the last thing on their minds at the moment as many punters are gearing up for the warm weather and sporting rivalry that lies ahead.

One woman even admitted to having no idea who Rishi Sunak was, claiming that 'he hadn't been Prime Minister long enough' for her to remember his name.

Many unenthusiastic Brits told MailOnline they were not planning on voting in this year's election, which was called in a shock announcement yesterday, as they had lost faith in both Labour and Tory politicians.

Younger voters also expressed a lack of excitement for the upcoming poll as they admitted they are more concerned about jetting off abroad, while others thought the six week campaign could 'ruin' summer.

In Tunbridge Wells butcher Richard Hards, 44, had little enthusiasm for the July 4 vote and was more concerned about the summer that lies ahead.

He told MailOnline: 'I saw the news yesterday and I've kind of lost faith in it all now. I'm just hopeful for a very nice, hot summer, England to do well in the Euros and lots of barbecues and booze.

'We've gone through several Prime Ministers these past few years and now it looks like we're getting another one - it's causing people to lose a lot of interest.'

Michael Batton, 64, said: '[People] are not sure who to vote for at the moment because everybody is in the middle of the road whether they are labour or conservative. People don't know who to vote for so a lot of people are going to be not voting, like me'

In Tunbridge Wells, butcher Richard Hards (pictured), 44, had little enthusiasm for the July 4 vote and was more concerned about the summer that lies ahead

One woman from Gillingham even admitted to having no idea who Rishi Sunak was, claiming that 'he hadn't been Prime Minister long enough' for her to remember his name

The PM was in Derbyshire this morning after shocking the country - and his own MPs - by pulling the trigger on a July 4 contest

Sitting down on a bench in The Pantilles, the Kent town's famous Georgian colonnade, 50-year-old Ness Billings said: 'I don't think people have confidence in politicians these days.

Rishi 'called general election early to kill off' Nigel Farage's Reform bid: Brexit champion 'was ready' to run for Commons until PM revealed he was calling July 4 snap election, leaving him only six weeks to win a seat

'In a way I'm not really bothered but in another way I think it's a good idea because we need change at the end of the day so I think so let's do it sooner rather than later.'

Sixth form student Weronika Bajno, who works part-time in a park cafe, is voting in her very first general election.

But even she said: 'I've not got much hope in it all. I'm not too bothered by it, it's not convenient and nothing they - the politicians - say leads me to think they'll do much good.

'It's quite disappointing, I don't agree with the things that have been said recently, I don't think it's been very helpful and I don't think it's going to get us anywhere

'The politicians aren't putting out any good ideas, I think it's pretty useless.

'I've long lost faith with politicians and I'm more interested in other things - like hopefully having some good weather over the summer!'

Sixth form student Weronika Bajno, who works part-time in a park cafe, is voting in her very first general election

Sitting down on a bench in The Pantilles, the Kent town's famous Georgian colonnade, 50-year-old Ness Billings (pictured) said: 'I don't think people have confidence in politicians these days.'

Henry, 34, thought people should be interested in the election and summer will mean more people are likely to come out to vote, adding that 'sport won't be a distraction'

Live show producer Gareth Watson, 54, said: 'It was an early call from what I can gather.

Confused on how to vote at the general election? Here is where the main parties stand on key issues - including immigration, trans ideology, the NHS, tax and education

'I'm not sure why they called it but maybe it's because apparently the statistics say that the less people vote the more the incumbent has a chance of staying in power.

'People are going to be on holidays, there's the Euros, the feel good factor of summer and the economy supposedly - although people don't know it yet - is on the way up.

'There's too much apathy out there, people need to get to the polls and vote.

'Whether the Tories will stay in power? I very much doubt it.

'Things have got to change haven't they so I personally am interested.

'It will be interesting to see what the future holds but I think we'll have election fever and overkill, it's all we're going to hear about over the next six weeks.'

In the capital, the atmosphere was all but the same, as locals expressed their disdain towards UK politics and expressed

Live show producer Gareth Watson, 54, said he expects less people to vote as many will be on holiday or watching the Euros

19-year-old Benji said: 'I think that it will be a problem [being in the summer]. I think a lot of people are going to be away so that could skew some younger votes'

Another younger voter, Marine, 28, agreed that there might be a lower turn out this year. She told MailOnline: 'I hope people will be interested in it but to be honest I think people will be more thinking about their holidays'

Efia, 34, also said: 'Not many people do vote anyway. I vote because I think I can effect change through my vote but many people don't care. Neither candidate is particularly inspiring. I don't think we have a great choice'

'The politicians at the moment are just fighting each other either in the same party or fighting the other party. Politicians are just a bad examples for us at the moment, we see politicians getting away with this and that.

'Lying to the people saying we are not doing this and then when you go in and find out they are doing things they are telling us to do, so we haven't really got good examples to follow.'

Asked if the election being in the summer will impact turn out, Mr Batton said: 'Yes more and more because you don't know who to vote for, so definitely there will be less people voting. People are just going to give up.'

19-year-old Benji added: 'I think that it will be a problem [being in the summer]. I think a lot of people are going to be away so that could skew some younger votes.'

Another younger voter, Marine, 28, agreed that there might be a lower turn out this year.

She told MailOnline: 'I hope people will be interested in it but to be honest I think people will be more thinking about their holidays.

'But I'm not sure a lot of people are going to go and vote. It will probably ruin summer.'

Efia, 34, also said: 'Not many people do vote anyway.

'I vote because I think I can effect change through my vote but many people don't care. Neither candidate is particularly inspiring. I don't think we have a great choice.'

And 55-year-old Tomas Serveo admitted he didn't even know when polling day was.

He said: 'I don't know when the exact election date is, but if it is in [summer] people are going to be away. But i think people will vote for a better change because the government at the moment is not really doing a good job so we need new horses, new people of power to guide us in the best direction.

'I don't think Euros will be an issue because people want to vote.'

Wunyeo, 25 said: 'Yes I think they chose [summer] so people won't be able to come'

Jackie, 70, said: ' Everybody is so fed up of the conservatives, we need a change.There is a bit of uninspiring [about all of them] but a bit of uninspiring getting on with the job and sorting things out is what we really need'

Property developer Jamie O'Leary, 42, a father-of-two from Merthyr Tydfil agreed that summer is a bad time for the election

Residents in southeast London were just as sceptical about what a new government would actually mean for them.

Anna Thomas, 41, said: 'I am not bothered about it to be honest because they all lie, let them get on with it.'

Bus driver Giovanni Fabbricatore, 60, was equally unenthusiastic, he said: 'I am not interested in it to be honest, I think they are all the same, I really do.

'It does not matter who gets in they are all the same. Nothing ever really changes.'

Leslie King, 64, said: 'For me personally, it is a waste of time. I do not think they are going to do what they have promised to do anyway.

'I do not know who to vote for, if I am going to vote for anyone, so I am going to be one of these wasted voters.'

David Basey, 69, said: 'I think something needs to be done but I have not really thought about it.

'There are always options, that is politics isn't it, but we say that no matter who comes into power, we always think someone else can do a better job.

'It has not been a big thing in my life, but it will in my grandchildren's so that is something I think about.'

Charles Barwick, 71, said: 'It is a nuisance for me because we are going on holiday.

'I will be honest with you, whoever gets in, I will be in the same position.'

Jan Armstrong, 76, said: 'After the elections we have just had with the mayor, I am a bit disgruntled I must admit.

She added: 'I can understand why people do not bother to vote, because they think it is a foregone conclusion.'

Reggie Black, 36, who works in education, said: 'There is a big gap between politics and the youth, I do not feel like youth feel they have a voice.

'Even the proposed policies do not address the needs of young people, so it is hard for young people to look at it and feel it is something they are a part of.

'Young people do not really talk about politics, it is not a general conversation, when you bring it up, people just switch off.'

Even people over in Wales are more concerned about the Euros starting next month, despite their home side not even making it through to the international tournament.

Property developer Jamie O'Leary, 42, a father-of-two from Merthyr Tydfil said: 'It's a bad time of year for an election, people's minds are on other things at this time of year.

'It will be played out on the TV and who wants to be stuck inside watching Rishi and Starmer telling us who we should vote for.

'We have light nights, the Euros are coming up, Rishi should have left it until the autumn.'

Rishi 'called general election early to kill off' Nigel Farage's Reform bid: Brexit champion 'was ready' to run for Commons until PM revealed he was calling July 4 snap election, leaving him only six weeks to win a seat

By James Tapsfield, Political Editor for MailOnline

Nigel Farage's ambitions of becoming an MP were wrecked by Rishi Sunak's bold snap election gambit, it was claimed today.

The PM received a massive boost this morning as the Brexit champion declared he will not be standing on July 4.

In a bombshell move, Mr Farage insisted he wants to focus on backing Donald Trump's campaign in the US. He said he wanted to 'do my bit to help' the party in the UK campaign but that it is not the right time 'to go any further than that'.

But sources told MailOnline that the timing of the election was the big factor in his decision, as he concluded six weeks was 'not enough' to put the work into a seat required to win.

After the news, Richard Tice vowed to make the looming battle 'the immigration election' as he played down the impact.

Mr Tice told a press conference the party was standing in '630 seats across the whole of England, Scotland and Wales'. 'We are going to win seats,' he said.

He also ridiculed Mr Sunak for his rain-sodden election announcement yesterday, jibing that he had been 'drowned out' by 'Remoaner in chief' protester Steve Bray playing the 1997 New Labour anthem Things Can Only Get Better.

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Rumours are swirling about a Nigel Farage comeback today as Reform prepares to launch its election push

The Brexit champion insisted he wants to focus on backing Donald Trump 's campaign in the US, as he announced he will not be a candidate for the Commons

Keir Starmer was on the campaign trail in Gillingham with Angela Rayner this morning

Your browser does not support iframes.

Official figures today showed immigration easing slightly after reaching a record high

Even senior Reform insiders had admitted they had no idea whether he would turn up to a press conference scheduled this morning.

In relatively downbeat interviews last night, the Brexit champion said the PM had chosen to go for political 'suicide' branding the Tories 'Big State liberals'.

But he only said he would 'think about' his own plans overnight, suggesting Mr Sunak's decision to go early had 'quite a lot to do with me' - so he did not have time to gain momentum in a campaign.

In a statement posted on X, Mr Farage said: 'I have thought long and hard as to whether I should stand in the upcoming general election.

'As honorary president of Reform UK, I am fully supportive of Richard Tice's leadership and urge voters to put their trust in him and Lee Anderson.

'I will do my bit to help in the campaign, but it is not the right time for me to go any further than that.

'Important though the general election is, the contest in the United States of America on November 5 has huge global significance. A strong America as a close ally is vital for our peace and security. I intend to help with the grassroots campaign in the USA in any way that I can.

'The choice between Labour and the Conservatives is uninspiring, and only Reform have the radical agenda that is needed to end decline in this country.'

Mr Farage, who is also a presenter on GB News, is cancelling his show on the channel to free up time for campaigning.

Lee Anderson, the former Tory deputy chairman, is the only current Reform UK MP following his defection from the Conservatives.

Mr Tice, a multimillionaire former Tory donor, said he was 'delighted to have Nigel's help during the election campaign'.

One close ally of Mr Farage told MailOnline: 'Everything was on the table but 6 weeks is simply not enough time.'

Another long-term supporter said Mr Farage was just 'very cross Rishi outplayed him'.

At Reform's election launch event, former MEP Ben Habib appeared to have a coded dig at Mr Farage's decision not to stand.

Mr Habib, who is standing in Wellingborough, said: 'For any political movement to succeed, it needs a leader who is prepared to absolutely stay the distance and make the fight.'

He said Mr Tice 'has the moral courage not to vacate either when the going gets tough, or when it might suit him'.

Asked if he was referencing Mr Farage, Mr Habib said: 'You interpret (my comment) as you see fit. In any walk of life, you have to stay the distance.'

Anxiety has been growing in Tory ranks about the prospect of Reform gifting Keir Starmer victory by tempting natural supporters away.

The party has been registering above 10 per cent in polls, potentially enough to doom significant number of Conservative MPs - although experts believe they will not be able to win any seats.

Mr Tice is currently leader of Reform, but Mr Farage founded the party and has been mulling a comeback for months.

The timing of the poll in the summer could mean he finds it easier to campaign, as it is before the US election where he will be stumping for Donald Trump.

But Mr Farage has also pointed out that it is incredibly difficult to get MPs elected under first past the post - having failed himself to win a seat many times.

Speaking to GB News, where is a presenter, Mr Farage said: 'I think the timing of this general election has quite a lot to do with me.

'He (Mr Sunak) was scared. He'd heard rumours - true or not, he'd heard rumours - that I was going to go into the frontline political fray, and if he gave me a six-month run against the worst most insincere Conservative prime minister in history, against the most boring house party guest as leader of the Labour party … I think Reform was a very big factor in this decision.'

He added that Mr Sunak had 'chosen suicide over obliteration', and was likely to be left with 150-180 seats, compared to 50 if he waited another six months.

Mr Farage has previously stressed that he will not be joining the Tories, despite a 'very sweet' suggestion from Liz Truss that he would be welcome.

The campaign got off to a less than auspicious start last night as Mr Sunak announced the summer election in a dramatic - and soaking wet - Downing Street statement.

Mr Farage said last night he will 'think about' his plans, suggesting Mr Sunak had gone early to prevent Reform from getting ready for the contest

Party leader Richard Tice has called a press conference at 11am after Rishi Sunak fired the starting gun on a July 4 contest

The campaign got off to a less than auspicious start last night as Mr Sunak announced the summer election in a dramatic - and soaking wet - Downing Street statement

As his suit became drenched, and with protesters playing the New Labour anthem of 'Things Can Only Get Better' in the background, Mr Sunak pointed to inflation being 'back to normal' and insisted he was 'stopping the boats'.

Meanwhile, there was some other positive news for the premier with signs immigration is finally dipping.

Official figures showed a 10 per cent drop in net long-term inflows last year - although the level was still an eye-watering 685,000, bigger than the population of Sheffield. The previous record for 2022 was also revised upwards to 764,000.

Ministers argue that reforms tightening rules on dependents and students have only just taken effect.

The PM joked he is 'drier' than yesterday and had 'brought an umbrella' as he gave interviews from Derbyshire this morning after shocking the country - and his own MPs - by pulling the trigger on a July 4 contest.

He launched a highly personal attack on Keir Starmer, swiping that he had 'no convictions' and voters cannot trust him.

However, he conceded that Rwanda flights will not now take off until after the election.

And the scale of the task facing the premier was underlined this morning with YouGov research showing Labour 25 points ahead - enough for a landslide bigger than that secured by Tony Blair in 1997. Polling guru Sir John Curtice said Mr Sunak's decision to call a ballot meant he is 'either very brave or extremely foolhardy'.

Party whips from the Conservatives and Labour are holding talks to work out what outstanding legislation can become law before prorogation – the end of the current parliamentary session – on Friday.

That includes the Victims and Prisoners Bill, which includes measures to establish a compensation scheme for victims of the infected blood scandal.

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