KUALA LUMPUR (May 23): British newspapers had a field day mocking Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after he called for a snap election on July 4, with some typically wry and tongue-in-cheek headlines.

While the Financial Times maintained its sober, stiff upper-lip style and went with “Sunak bets on July 4 election” on the front page with a grim-looking Sunak, the tabloids took a more sarcastic yet light-hearted tone.

The Sun on its front page had music superstar Taylor Swift and England football captain Harry Kane with the blurb “Just when we were looking forward to the Euros, Taylor, Wimbo & sunshine, Rishi calls a bloody election…”

Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror splashed a picture of a rain soaked Sunak walking into No 10, Downing Street, after announcing the election, describing the prime minister as “drown and out”.

The Daily Telegraph also had a picture of a wet Sunak on its front page, alongside an analysis piece titled “Things can only get wetter”.

The Guardian went with a straightforward headline of “Rishi Sunak takes gamble by calling general election for July 4”.

The Times of London headline read “Sunak bets the house by calling snap election for July 4”.