Rishi Sunak has said that he is “pumped up” and "damn right" sure he'll win the 2024 election, saying that he is “up for a fight”.
The Prime Minister is currently on a whirlwind tour of the UK since announcing the July 4 vote on Wednesday, heading to both Belfast and the West Midlands today. Yesterday, he visited Derbyshire, Cardiff and the Scottish Highlands.
Addressing journalists whilst on a flight to Belfast, he said: “I love doing this. I’ve been doing it since the beginning of the year, I’ve been out and about pretty much two, three days a week since the beginning of the year and I love it.
“I love talking to people, I love having the debate, I love having the Q&A with people, answering their questions, making sure they know what I’m about and I’m really confident that over the next few weeks we’re going to have a really good conversation as a country about the future we want.”
Rishi Sunak has said that he is 'pumped up' and ready for the 2024 election
PA
Asked if he was enjoying the campaign, he replied: “Yes I am enjoying it. I’m absolutely enjoying it. It’s only day two.”
Sunak said he was excited for the challenge ahead, despite a damp start to the campaign when he was soaked whilst delivering the announcement outside No 10.
The first day of the tour was also not without its blunders. Yesterday, he made a football gaffe which was met with silence at a Welsh brewery, and he was also mocked for visiting the Titanic Quarter whilst in Belfast.
On the plane ride, Sunak did not discuss the contents of the Conservative manifesto, including whether or not his smoking ban would be in it.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Tory row erupts as Rishi Sunak INSISTS Boris Johnson ally David Frost is NOT banned from standing to be a Tory MP
- Rishi Sunak refuses to be drawn into key election battle as he hints at ECHR withdrawal - 'Wait for the manifesto'
- Bionic MP Craig Mackinlay will NOT fight in snap General Election due to rigours of campaigning
When asked by GB News if he'll win, he said 'damn right!'
GB News
He also declined to comment on whether the Tories would commit to leaving the European Convention on Human Rights.
Sunak acknowledged that his time as Prime Minister has had its share of “difficult days”, but said that the bravery of Craig Mackinlay, a quadruple amputee MP who returned to parliament on Wednesday for the first time since undergoing the operation.
Mackinlay had told GB News that he intended to stand again for Parliament when it was assumed there would be a November general election. However, he said that after "36 hours of intense soul searching" after Sunak's surprise announcement of a July 4 poll, he has decided to quit as an MP.
Sunak revealed to GB News: "With regard to Craig as I said in Parliament on Wednesday he is just an enormous inspiration. For him to have got through what he has got through, and as everyone can see, to just have the positivity and energy that he has brought to life is nothing short of inspiring.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during his visit to a maritime technology centre at a dockyard in Northern Ireland yesterday
PA
“Whenever I am having difficult days I just think about what he has been through and the courage and resilience he has shown, all of us can take something from that and be inspired.
“I have spoken a lot to Craig over the last few months and I saw him and Kati and his little girl on Weds after PMQs, and I have spent some time with him over the last few months.
"They are a wonderful family and Kati and his family deserve also deserve praise. I met his Dad a while back. And Kati's family are also there supporting.
“He is blessed like I am - I have a wonderful family to support him - they deserve a lot of praise too. He is a great man, another low tax Brexiteer.”
