Sunak admits election announcement ‘was a bit wet’ and he now has an umbrella
Heavy rain poured down on the Prime Minister as he spoke from a lectern outside No 10.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Rishi Sunak admitted that it was “a bit wet” when he made his election announcement, but said he did not regret giving the speech outside No 10 in the pouring rain.
The Prime Minister on Wednesday fired the starting gun for a July 4 General Election while exposed to the elements on Downing Street.
The rain-soaked statement was poked fun at, with observers questioning why the Tory leader did not use an umbrella in the downpour.
As he embarks on a two-day whistlestop tour of all four UK nations on Thursday, Mr Sunak said he did have a brolly with him “just in case”.
“I’m not going to deny that it was a bit wet,” Mr Sunak laughed on LBC Radio.
“I’m not a fair-weather politician.
“I believe very strongly in the traditions of our country. And when you’re making a statement of that magnitude as Prime Minister, I believe in just doing it in the traditional way, come rain and shine, in front of the steps of Downing Street.”
Asked on Radio 4’s Today programme whether colleagues did not warn him he would get drenched, Mr Sunak said: “I don’t think people are focused on the weather.
“I mean, you know, we’re British, we talk about the weather a lot, but I think this election will be more focused on the issues that you and I have been talking about.
“People will be pleased to know that I have got an umbrella with me today just in case.”
As well as the rain, a sodden Mr Sunak had to battle the sounds of New Labour anthem Things Can Only Get Better being blasted from beyond the Downing Street gates.
It led to headlines joking that “things can only get wetter” for the Prime Minister.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer chose to stay out of the rain to respond to the election announcement, making a speech inside while flanked by Union flags.
Home Secretary James Cleverly suggested that Mr Sunak was “a tough boy” for braving the wet weather.
The Cabinet minister told ITV’s Peston: “The fact is the Prime Minister has demonstrated throughout his career he’s been willing to make the tough calls…
“Doing a speech in the rain with some idiot blaring some music is one of the easier things he’s had to do.
“Keir Starmer had to do it indoors.
“He’s a tough boy, he’s a tough guy. And Keir Starmer had to run off inside to do his speech, and there you go – there’s your choice.”