RNZ, New Zealand’s public broadcaster, described the early election decision as a “risky strategy” considering the Tories are “far behind Labour in the opinion polls”.
“Sunak heads into the election not only far behind the Labour Party in the polls but also somewhat isolated from some in his party, increasingly dependent on a small team of advisers to steer him through what is set to be an ugly campaign,” it said.
Europe
El Mundo, one of Spain’s largest newspapers, reported that the announcement “caused astonishment” in the ranks of the Conservative Party given recent polling. Citing the latest Savanta poll, it said the Tories are at a 17-point disadvantage over the Labour Party.
Under the sub-heading “Uncertain times are coming”, the paper reported on Mr Sunak’s warnings on migration and ongoing conflicts that he said threatened “global security”.
“The early call for elections, however, leaves the plan to deport immigrants pending asylum to Rwandan up in the air,” the newspaper reported.
‘PM’s popularity at rock bottom’
The decision to bring forward the election has caused particular “discomfort” in the hard right faction of the Conservative Party, El Mundo reported, describing recent local elections in which the Tories lost half their councillors as a “debacle”.
“The popularity of the Prime Minister actually hit rock bottom in April, with 70 per cent of Britons describing his work as ‘unsatisfactory’, rivalling John Major’s worst numbers in 1994,” the report said.
“The election on July 4, Independence Day in the United States, at least removes possible interference between the two electoral processes, with the US presidential elections scheduled for November 5.”