You’re right to emphasise that he’s a relative centrist. Sunak is a long way to the right of people like Chris Patten, Ian Gilmour and Ian Macleod. But he’d do his party an immense service if he could keep it out of the hands of Braverman, Kruger et al
I think the question is less “why now?” and more “why didn’t he do it in May” An October/November election was always the worst option. With the risk of multiple water providers close to collapse, a really uncertain inflation landscape, a summer of small boats and straight into a US election, the Autumn is very likely to be the worst time this year to have an election. It’s highly likely he wouldn’t even make it that far.
You’re right to emphasise that he’s a relative centrist. Sunak is a long way to the right of people like Chris Patten, Ian Gilmour and Ian Macleod. But he’d do his party an immense service if he could keep it out of the hands of Braverman, Kruger et al
I think the question is less “why now?” and more “why didn’t he do it in May” An October/November election was always the worst option. With the risk of multiple water providers close to collapse, a really uncertain inflation landscape, a summer of small boats and straight into a US election, the Autumn is very likely to be the worst time this year to have an election. It’s highly likely he wouldn’t even make it that far.
May was the best chance he had and he blew it
His best chance was beginning of 2023 I'd say