Rishi Sunak’s 4 July general election falls by the smallest margin – the first Thursday – into his second half of the year guidance. Will he be rewarded by the voters for finally putting the nation out of its misery? Or punished for effectively misleading and messing up every one’s plans?

Senior Conservative MPs were poo-pooing the rumours hours before the emergency cabinet meeting assembled at 4pm. One blamed impatient special advisors overanxious to be liberated and find new jobs – preferably in the city at four times the salary.

But now the Prime Minister has fired the starting pistol, even though, if he loses he will not make his second anniversary in No 10 due on 24 October. He has said that he intends to stay on as MP for Richmond (Yorks) come what may. Some are already pointing to the decision to hold polling on American Independence Day........

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