Sunak and Starmer hit UK campaign trail after shock election call

FILE PHOTO: Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer walks with Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during the State Opening of Parliament ceremony, at the Houses of Parliament, in London, Britain November 7, 2023. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/Pool/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Labour Party rival Keir Starmer kicked off their election campaigns on Thursday, each arguing that only they can snap the country out of its economic and political malaise.

Sunak, whose Conservatives have trailed Labour by more than 15 points in polls since he became prime minister in October 2022, shocked and angered many in his party when he gambled by calling a July 4 election, months earlier than expected.