UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's decision to call an early general election means his flagship smoking ban will not pass before the current parliamentary session is suspended on Friday.
But the proposal, which had been seen as Sunak’s legacy if he loses the election, was not included in the “wash-up” period where legislation is rushed through before parliament shuts down. Sunak, prime minister since October 2022, confirmed in a rain-soaked speech outside Downing Street on Wednesday that the UK would go to the polls on July 4 — six months earlier than it has to.
Sunak, 44, conceded on Thursday that his controversial plan to forcibly remove the first failed asylum seekers to Rwanda — central to his re-election pitch — would not happen before polling day. Nigerian champions, Enyimba of Aba, have named Yemi Olanrewaju as their new head coach. He replaces Finidi George, who left the job to take