What was the song drowning out Rishi’s snap General Election announcement?
Rishi Sunak’s general election announcement today was drowned out by a song previously used in the 1997 election for Tony Blair.
Sunak was struggling to be heard over the blaring rendition of ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ by D:Ream.
The lyrics of the song, first released in 1993, read: ‘So teach me now that things can only get better / Only get, they only get, take it on from here / You know, I know that things can only get better.’
The song has long been associated with the Labour Party after Tony Blair won the 1997 one while using the song.
It was used as a weapon this year, however, with protestors successfully drowning out Suank’s announcement while blasting the 1990s song.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer released a video for his upcoming election run just after Sunak wrapped up his remarks.
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Standing outside in a rainy day by Downing Street, Suank said: ‘This hard-earned economic stability was only ever meant to be the beginning, the question now is how and who do you trust to turn that foundation into a secure future for you, your family, and our country?
‘Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future, to decide whether we want to build on the progress we have made or risk going back to square one with no plan and no certainty.’
Sunak’s speech has since gone viral online – not only for announcing the election, but also for the song playing in the background.
The song, formerly associated with the ‘New Labour’ ushered in by Tony Blair, may very well now be associated with a wet Rishi Sunak outside of Downing Street.
Before today, November was the most heavily anticipated date for the next general election – but the date has now been confirmed as July 4.
What will be the big issues at a summer election?
The Conservatives are likely to point to falling inflation as evidence the government’s economic plan is working.
And remember on April 28, when Rishi Sunak said the first Rwanda migrant flights will be taking off in 10-12 weeks?
Well, 10 and a bit weeks after that date is July 4. The PM is no doubt hoping those planes take off in the days beforehand.
Labour will hope to place the focus on the cost of living, and will be asking voters whether they feel better off than they did when the Tories first took over in 2010.
Leader Sir Keir Starmer wasted no time in releasing a campaign video on his X account within minutes of the announcement being made.
He said: ‘Britain is a great and proud country, but after 14 years under the Tories, nothing seems to work anymore.
‘Public services crumbling, ambulances that don’t come, families weighed down by higher mortgage rates, antisocial behaviour on our high streets – the list goes on and on.’
The last July General Election took place in 1945, and resulted in Clement Attlee forming the Labour government that created institutions like the NHS.
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