‘Things can only get wetter’: The best Rishi Sunak memes as PM is drowned out during election speech
Not another one! Rishi Sunak’s big election announcement was something of a washout as the prime minister swapped the £2.6 million Downing Street press briefing room for the Great British Outdoors.
Standing outside No 10, Labour’s 1997 theme Things Can Only Get Better by D:Ream was blasted from Tory arch nemesis Steve Bray’s amplifier - sheltering under the dignity of an EU umbrella.
As the first verse kicks in and the penny drops as to what is about to happen, Mr Sunak tries to raise his voice to boast of his inflation achievements.
He said: “For some it may still be hard to look at your bank balance... but this is only the beginning.”
Of course social media users leapt on the moment and with a general election, Euro 2024, Glastonbury and Love Island coming up, the memes are going to be in full flow this summer.
Here are some of the best jokes, memes and quips so far.
Sunak banging on about furlough like your dad about the gravy he made at Christmas 2003
— Simon Mayhew-Archer (@SimonMAlikesyou) May 22, 2024
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) May 22, 2024
Can I borrow your cagoule? pic.twitter.com/GyGxrKigM1
— GlennyRodge (@GlennyRodge) May 22, 2024
This is our Four Seasons Total Landscaping
— David Whitehouse (@d_whitehouse) May 22, 2024
Conservative peer and former party chairwoman Baroness Warsi tweeted a photograph of a drenched Rishi Sunak, saying: “Drowned and out.
“Not good look to kick off a #GeneralElection campaign.”
The general election represents a chance to change the country for the better, Sir Keir Starmer said.
historically, men in this situation used a folding canopy called an umbrella pic.twitter.com/vMVdJ3s6XU
— derek guy (@dieworkwear) May 22, 2024
— Cold War Steve (@coldwarsteve) May 22, 2024
— Joe Lycett (@joelycett) May 22, 2024
FFS, some of us are trying to listen to D:Ream mate
— Matt Forde (@mattforde) May 22, 2024
“Labour doesn’t have a plan” says man who hadn’t checked the weather forecast. pic.twitter.com/3LUlGz6I7n
— Mr Roger Quimbly (@RogerQuimbly) May 22, 2024
It’s entirely possible this summer could have Glastonbury, England winning Euro 2024 & the most hated government in living memory being voted into oblivion, all within a fortnight of each other. I hope the nation’s off licenses are making plans.
— Nick Pettigrew (@Nick_Pettigrew) May 22, 2024
— Balderdash (@notDcfcBoss) May 22, 2024
it *is* possible to look cool in the pouring rain pic.twitter.com/A5fD3Mus74
— Jim Pickard 🐋 (@PickardJE) May 22, 2024
Boris Johnson right now. #GeneralElection pic.twitter.com/tMpWKfWdlb
— Matthew Highton (@MattHighton) May 22, 2024
Finally, there's a light at the end of this 14 year tunnel. #GeneralElection pic.twitter.com/E2mDcSKwhA
— The Jase 🐶 🎸 🎥 (@jasemonkey) May 22, 2024
Rishi sunak announcing the general election. pic.twitter.com/Cm9xJWX6Jz
— Colin the Dachshund (@DachshundColin) May 22, 2024
Forced to work in the rain unnecessarily?
Join a union. pic.twitter.com/yiq1jamHIT— Trades Union Congress (@The_TUC) May 22, 2024
Labour insiders are reportedly aghast the Conservatives allowed Rishi Sunak to announce the election in those conditions.
Responding to the announcement of an election, Sir Keir Starmer said: “Tonight, the Prime Minister has finally announced the next General Election, a moment the country needs and has been waiting for and where, by the force of our democracy, power returns to you.
“A chance to change for the better your future, your community, your country.
“It will feel like a long campaign, I am sure of that, but no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about.”