UK normal election recap: Live updates amid snap vote announcement

Thank you for following our liveblog on the election announcement.

Check MailOnline in the morning for the latest updates.

Brits have revealed the key issues they are voting over on July 4, after prime minister Rishi Sunak called a surprise election this afternoon, following months of speculation.

The protester who played Things Can Only Get Better during Rishi Sunak’s election speech has been banned from protesting outside parliament, according to Sky News.

Steve Bray said he chose the New Labour tune by D:Rream because it was the ‘top trolling song for the Conservatives’, as it was linked with the Tory landslide defeat in the 1997 general election.

It could be loudly heard over the PM as he announced the general election.

Mr Bray reportedly said he was banned from protesting outside Parliament and Whitehall this afternoon after two police complaints.

The bookies have given 4/7 (63%) odds on the Conservatives losing more than 200 seats at the general election, meaning a complete wipeout for the governing party.

The latest odds on Betfair Exchange put the second most likely option at the Tories losing 151 to 200 seats at 10/3. There are 54/1 odds they will lose less 1-50 seats.

Betfair have also given odds on who is most likely to succeed Rishi Sunak as party leader if he ousted following an election defeat, with Kemi Badenoch being the odds-on favourite.

Next Conservative leader

Kemi Badenoch 3/1

Penny Mordaunt 7/1

Robert Jenrick 8/1

Priti Patel 17/2

James Cleverly 9/1

Suella Braverman 10/1

David Cameron 16/1

Boris Johnson 18/1

Tom Tugendhat 14/1

Betfair Spokesperson, Sam Rosbottom said: ‘Rishi Sunak may have hoped a snap election on July 4 would improve the Tories’ chances, but Betfair Exchange punters remain convinced it will be Sir Keir Stamer in Number 10 on July 5.

‘Labour are being heavily backed to win an overall majority, which is as short as 2/13, and they are even shorter at 1/14 to win the most seats when Brits go to the polls.

‘Betfair Exchange punters appear confident the Tories face a total wipe-out with the party odds-on at 4/7 to lose an eye-watering 201 or more seats in the election.’

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove has dismissed concerns that the timing of the election is a ‘massive gamble’.

Speaking to Sky News‘ Darren McCaffrey after the PM’s speech in East London, he said: ‘I think there’s a clear choice. And I think the prime minister is courageous, principled.’

He said the Tories had a ‘clear plan’ in the face of the ‘multiple risks’ facing the world today.

– May 23 2024: Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt said the House will sit for the remaining stages of the Finance (No.2) Bill and to consider a business of the House motion. The House will also be asked to agree to sit on May 24.

– May 24: Parliament prorogued, subject to the progress of business, which means the end of the Parliamentary session, bringing most business to an end.

– May 30: Parliament dissolved. By law, this has to take place no later than 25 working days before polling day, which, in this instance, is May 30.

– June 7: Deadline for candidates to be nominated.

– June 18: Deadline to register to vote. This can be done online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.

– June 19: Deadline to apply for a postal vote.

– June 26: Deadline to apply for a proxy vote – in other words, for someone to vote on your behalf – and to apply for a Voter ID certificate, if you do not already have a valid form of photo identification.

This will be the first UK general election where all voters will have to show a valid form of photo ID before casting a ballot.

– July 4: Election day. Polls will open from 7am to 10pm.

– July 9: The new Parliament will be summoned to meet

– July 17: State opening of Parliament.

The protester who played Things Can Only Get Better during Rishi Sunak’s election speech said he chose the New Labour tune because it was the ‘top trolling song for the Conservatives’.

Anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray said he selected the D:Ream song for its association with the Tory landslide defeat in the 1997 general election rather than as a show of support for Labour in the upcoming campaign.

He added that his protest outside Downing Street was paused when his two amplifiers became soaked and stopped working during heavy rain in Westminster.

Speaking from near Westminster Abbey, Mr Bray told the PA news agency: ‘I thought about what would be the best trolling tune if he announced the election.

‘And of course, it had to be Things Can Only Get Better. Because everybody can relate to that and the 1997 election.

‘I didn’t do it for Labour. I did it because it was the top trolling song for the Conservatives.’

Celebrities took the opportunity to poke fun at the Prime Minister after he announced a General Election in the pouring rain, with Sue Perkins asking: ‘Can’t he afford an umbrella?’

Rishi Sunak fired the starting gun for a July 4 election while exposed to the elements outside 10 Downing Street.

Broadcaster Carol Vorderman was more scathing in her assessment. The former Countdown presenter posted a video of herself on social media and wrote: ‘Rishi Sunak became the drip in front of No 10 to announce it in the rain.’

Financial journalist and broadcaster Martin Lewis, who founded the website MoneySavingExpert.com, wrote: ‘Message management… Statement given in pouring rain, and sodden shoulder pads.

‘Blairite theme tune being played in the background. Not exactly the glorious sunlit uplands.’

Mr Sunak’s election announcement was accompanied by the sound of Tony Blair’s 1997 general election soundtrack Things Can Only Get Better by pop group D:Ream being played through a loudspeaker.

Armando Iannucci, the Scottish satirist who wrote political sitcom The Thick of It, posted on X: ‘That music is Heckle Gold.’

Labour has offered to do ‘whatever is necessary’ to ensure key legislation to support victims of the infected blood scandal is approved before Parliament stops ahead of the General Election.

Party whips from the Conservatives and Labour are holding talks in a bid to work out what outstanding legislation can become law before prorogation – the end of the current parliamentary session – on Friday.

The so-called ‘wash-up’ period refers to the final days of a Parliament before dissolution – due to take place on May 30 – when the Government aims to progress legislation yet to clear all stages and receive royal assent.

Ministers usually require the cooperation of the Opposition to secure approval and some Bills may be shortened to ensure they are approved in some form.

The Victims and Prisoners Bill – which includes measures to establish a compensation scheme for victims of the infected blood scandal – was due to receive its third reading in the House of Lords on June 4.

Labour hopes an agreement can be reached to ensure the Bill is approved by Friday.

Rishi Sunak hailed Conservative activists as ‘the life blood of our incredible party’ who were ‘up for this General Election’ at a rally in London’s ExCel Centre.

Flanked by Cabinet colleagues and introduced by Home Secretary James Cleverly, the Prime Minister spoke in shirtsleeves following his appearance in the rain in Downing Street earlier on Wednesday.

Referring to news that inflation had fallen to 2.3%, he said he had delivered on his first pledge to the British people, adding: ‘We have shown the country that it is only this Conservative Party that can deliver the economic stability, the foundation of our national success.’

He also repeated warnings that Labour would take the country ‘back to square one’, adding: ‘We know the only certainty with Labour is they will run out of money and raise your taxes.’

Rishi Sunak repeated attack lines against the Labour leader saying that he untrustworthy, which may become a frequently heard statement over the next six weeks.

Speaking at the Excel Centre in London the PM said that Sir Keir Starmer did not keep promises made to his own party when he became leader, and so the public should not trust him to keep promises made in the upcoming general election.

Rishi Sunak has said that Labour would ‘make our country less secure’ and they will grant an ‘effective amnesty’ to asylum seekers crossing the English Channel in small boats.

Rishi Sunak told activists that ‘the only certainty with Labour is that they will run out of money and raise your taxes’.

He said that a Labour government risks putting progress on the economy ‘back to square one’.

Rishi Sunak has said the last two years ‘have been tough’ due to the aftermath of Covid and the war in Ukraine impacting on energy bills.

But he said that the inflation news from this morning shows the economy has ‘turned a corner’ and the ‘plan is working’.

James Cleverly has welcome the PM on stage to a round of applause.

A Sky News broadcast crew has been removed from the ExCel Centre by security ahead of the Prime Minister’s speech.

Broadcaster Darren McCaffrey and his crew were escorted from the venue by two security guards, with the correspondent saying they had not been allowed in due to broadcast pooling arrangements.

Rishi Sunak is expected to address a crowd of Conservative activists at the East London venue shortly.

Home Secretary James Cleverly has walked on stage to a round of applause to launch the election campaign and introduce the PM.

Rishi Sunak is to speak to Tory activists at the Excel Centre in London for the election campaign launch.

After calling the election outside No10, Rishi Sunak posted a video on X/Twitter appealing to the British public.

Holly Lynch, the Labour MP for Halifax has announced she will be standing down at the next election due to family commitments.

Colleague Jess Phillips reacted sadly to the announcement, saying: ‘I couldn’t be excited about the election, even though I love an election, because this has broken my heart in two. The very best of us.’

Informing her constituents on X, Mrs Lynch said: ‘I wanted to inform constituents that whilst it has been the ultimate privilege to serve as the MP for my hometown for nearly 10 years, I have taken the incredibly difficult decision to stand down at the General Election.

‘Today’s announcement has come much sooner in the year than I had anticipated, and whilst I have the most amazing husband and family, as the mother of a young son with another one on the way, I have found balancing the requirements of this very special job, with those responsibilities, increasingly difficult.

‘It is right that the role of an MP asks a great deal from those lucky enough to hold the office, however it also requires you to ask the same of your own family and I have found this harder and harder at this moment in their young lives.

The last 9 years have been a rollercoaster. The Labour Party has been on quite the journey of its own in that time and we have all shed blood, sweat and tears to become the changed Party we are now, under Keir Starmer’s leadership, ready and striving to be the Government the country deserves. I will do everything I can towards that goal and know I leave the Parliamentary Labour Party in a good place.’

Read her full letter below:

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer responded to the announcement of a General Election with a speech focusing on ‘change’.

Speaking in central London on Wednesday evening, he set out three reasons for the public to vote Labour after Rishi Sunak called an election for July 4.

Unlike Mr Sunak, who became drenched with rain as he addressed the nation from outside Number 10, Sir Keir gave his speech indoors.

Sir Keir Ssaid: ‘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’m sure of that – but no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about.

‘Over the course of the last four years we have changed the Labour Party. Returned it once more to the service of working people.

‘All we ask now – humbly – is to do exactly the same for our country and return Britain to the service of working people.

‘To that purpose, we offer three reasons why you should change Britain with Labour.

‘One – because we will stop the chaos.

‘Look around our country. The sewage in our rivers. People waiting on trolleys in A&E. Crime virtually unpunished. Mortgages and food prices through the roof.

‘It’s all – every bit of it – a direct result of the Tory chaos in Westminster.

‘Time and again they pursue their own interests, rather than tackling the issues that affect your family.

‘And if they get another five years, they will feel entitled to carry on exactly as they are. Nothing will change.

‘A vote for Labour is a vote for stability – economic and political. A politics that treads more lightly on all our lives. A vote to stop the chaos.

‘Two – because it’s time for change.

‘Our offer is to reset both our economy and our politics, so that they once again serve the interests of working people.

‘We totally reject the Tory view that economic strength is somehow gifted from those at the top.

‘Over the past 14 years – through all the crises we have had to face – sticking with that idea has left our country exposed, insecure and unable to unlock the potential of every community.

‘But a vote for Labour is a vote to turn the page on all that. A vote for change.

‘And finally, three – because we have a long-term plan to rebuild Britain. A plan that is ready to go. Fully costed and fully funded.

‘We can deliver economic stability. Cut the NHS waiting times. Secure our borders with a new Border Security Command.

‘Harness Great British Energy to cut your bills for good. Tackle anti-social behaviour.

‘And get the teachers we need in your children’s classroom.

‘But most of importantly of all, we do all this with a new spirit of service. Country first, party second.

‘A rejection of the gesture politics you will see in this campaign, I have no doubt, from the Tories and the SNP.

‘I am well aware of the cynicism people hold towards politicians at the moment.

‘But I came into politics late, having served our country as leader of the Crown Prosecution Service.

‘And I helped the Police Service in Northern Ireland to gain the consent of all communities.

‘Service of our country is the reason – and the only reason – why I am standing here now, asking for your vote.

‘And I believe, with patience, determination and that commitment to service, there is so much pride and potential we can unlock across our country.

‘So here it is, the future of the country, in your hands.

‘On 4 July you have the choice. And together, we can stop the chaos.

‘We can turn the page, we can start to rebuild Britain, and change our country.

‘Thank you.’

Northern Ireland needs representatives with a ‘long-term vision’, the Ulster Unionist Party has said.

Party leader Doug Beattie said: ‘Here in Northern Ireland, we have a clear choice, carry on as before or set the conditions for a change.

‘We need less pessimism, negativity and isolationism, less angry voices, less confrontation.

‘We need representatives in Westminster who can stand up and make the case for Northern Ireland, its people, its economy, its future.

‘It’s time we had strategic thinkers in Westminster, pro-union MPs who can look beyond short-term goals and concentrate on a long-term vision for Northern Ireland.

‘The Ulster Unionist Party is the home of positive, optimistic, and inclusive unionism. If you want change, then your vote for an Ulster Unionist candidate on the 4th July will deliver it.’

Sinn Fein’s leader in Northern Ireland has said Westminster elections are an opportunity to send a clear message to the UK government that ‘systemic underfunding of public services must end’.

Michelle O’Neill said: ‘The Tory government has been a disaster for the people in the north – bad for the economy, bad for public services and bad for workers and families as the cost of living soared putting them under pressure.’

She said voters could send a message that they want decisions about their life and future to be ‘made here in Ireland, and not in London’.

She added: ‘You can vote for a future where our children have the best opportunities to build their lives here at home.

‘A shared future, where all our people and communities work together as one.’

The July election date could hit voter turnout among student voters, an expert has claimed.

Dr Lise Butler, a senior lecturer in modern history at City, University of London, said: ‘A July date may mean lower turnout among students, as they are often registered to vote in the city in which they study rather than their home community.

‘This may be slightly beneficial to the Conservative Party due to its unpopularity with younger voters.’

However, she said that it was likely that Rishi Sunak’s decision to call the election was ‘clearly motivated by recent lower inflation numbers’.

She added: ‘There are concerns that a July election could produce a lower turnout, due to school holidays, but I think this is unfounded. Historically, there hasn’t been a clear correlation between voter turnout and the timing of elections – voter turnout declined sharply in the 1990s, and has recovered somewhat since, a trend which is independent of the specific timing of elections.’

She did say the timing ‘may play into a favourable narrative for Labour’, as the last election in July was also on the 5th of the month in 1945, when Labour leader Clement Attlee swept a landslide following the Second World War and brought in sweeping changes to the nation such as the NHS.

The long-term future of the NHS will likely be a key battleground in the run up to the general election.

Recent polling suggests that the founding principles of the service are still staunchly backed by the British public.

But satisfaction with the NHS has dipped to record lows, indicating that politicians will have to persuade voters that their party will be the most likely to improve care for patients.

The latest British Social Attitudes Survey – a long-running poll tracking the views of the public – found that only 24% of the public are satisfied with the NHS.

Despite low levels of public satisfaction, a large majority of the public still support the principles of the NHS as 82% say the NHS should be available to everyone, 91% said it should be free of charge and 82% say it should be primarily funded through taxation.

Health organisations and charities have called for clarity on what impact the General Election will have on Bills passing through Parliament.

Particular concerns have been raised about the speed at which the Victims and Prisoners Bill – which will legally establish a compensation body for victims of the infected blood scandal – will pass through the House of Commons.

News of the election comes two days after the Infected Blood Inquiry published its final report which concluded that authorities covered up the scandal and victims were exposed to unacceptable risks.

The principal recommendation of the report was that ‘a compensation scheme should be set up now’.

Ministers have made amendments to the Bill which would enshrine in law the Infected Blood Compensation Authority and details of the scheme were set out in the Commons on Tuesday.

Jason Evans, director of the Factor 8 campaign group, said: ‘The Victims and Prisoners Bill must be included in the wash-up, or we will have been fobbed off once again.’

Wash-up is the opportunity for Parliament to get through any unfinished business before it is dissolved.

‘As things stand, we’ve received no communication of reassurance from the Cabinet Office or anyone else regarding the Bill,’ Mr Evans added.

‘This whole thing is a mess, and I cannot begin to explain the mass confusion and anger among victims at this time. They feel betrayed and lied to, again.

‘Our hope is that cross-party support can be secured to get this Bill into the wash-up and done before Parliament is dissolved.’

BBC News’ Amol Rajan has had to pull out of hosting Have I Got News For You due to the election coverage.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been accused of excluding the deaf community by not having a sign language interpreter with him when he called the General Election.

According to the hearing charity RNID, Downing Street pledged to have British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters on hand for big announcements from spring 2024.

However, there was no interpreter in sight when Mr Sunak made his announcement outside Number 10 on Wednesday afternoon.

The charity wrote on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Where’s the British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter @10DowningStreet?

‘Calling a General Election is one of the biggest moves our country can make – deaf people deserve to have that information at the same time as everyone else. This is not good enough!

‘Let this be the last time British Sign Language (BSL) users are left behind – we call on all candidates to make this the most accessible General Election ever.’

As part of the Government’s disability action plan, officials said they would ‘make government publications and communications more accessible’.

This includes a pledge that ‘Number 10 Downing Street will work to provide in-situ BSL interpretation for all major press conferences and briefings from spring 2024 onwards.’

Rishi Sunak has pulled the trigger on a General Election campaign, taking a gamble by announcing a July 4 date while his party languishes in the polls.

The Prime Minister has long insisted the national vote would happen in the second half of this year, which many in Westminster thought to mean October or November, but he announced a surprise summer election this afternoon.

There are several reasons he may have chosen to go earlier than many expected.

Wednesday brought some rare welcome news for the Prime Minister, as official figures showed inflation slowed to 2.3% in April, the lowest level in nearly three years.

Mr Sunak declared inflation is ‘back to normal’ in a ‘major milestone’ for the country. It came after data earlier this month showed the economy grew by 0.6% over the first quarter, ending a technical recession recorded in the final half of last year.

The Prime Minister will be hoping that signs of a recovering economy will help him overturn Labour’s 20-point opinion poll lead.

Mr Sunak may have also wanted to dodge any further defections, after he suffered two recent defections to Labour and one to Reform UK.

Most analysts expect the polls to narrow during the six-week election campaign.

However, it appears unlikely a July election will drastically move the dial on the Tories’ prospects.

Tory MPs have told the BBC that they are confused at the earlier than expected timing of the general election.

One said they ‘don’t understand it’ as the economy is starting to turn around so ‘why not give that more time to bed in?’

And a senior minister was ‘annoyed’ that Sunak gave his speech in the pouring rain.

They said he should have given the speech from the briefing room he made the furlough announcement, as the point was to ‘remind the public that he was Mr Furlough.’

The minister added that prevailing theme is that Labour are happy with the election announcement and the Tories were not.

The last general election held in July saw a Labour landslide in which Clement Attlee swept to power to oust Winston Churchill after the end of Second World War hostilities in Europe.

The 1945 election – which took place on July 5 – came within two months of VE Day and initiated a political transformation that saw the creation of the NHS and the building of social housing.

Parliament was dissolved only three weeks before Britons went to the polls, in contrast to the six weeks to go until July 4 this year.

The Labour Party gained a 145-seat majority and the Liberal Party leader, Archibald Sinclair, lost his seat.

The Conservatives lost 189 seats.

Clement Attlee, the Labour MP for Limehouse who replaced Winston Churchill as prime minister, introduced sweeping reforms such as the nationalisation of public utilities and the formation of the National Health Service.

A new generation of MPs who came to define 20th century British politics entered Parliament, including James Callaghan, Michael Foot and Harold Wilson.

Spacefaring electoral juggernaught has launched his general election campaign for ‘Bindependence Day; on July 4.

‘Time to take out the trash,’ his slogan said.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson is ‘strongly supporting’ the Conservative Party and urges ‘everybody to do the same’, a spokesman said.

It comes after speculation that the ex-MP might appear on the Tory campaign trail in the run-up to a vote.

A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: ‘Boris Johnson is, as always, strongly supporting the Conservatives and encourages everybody to do the same.’

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced that he plans to stand in the general election.

Posting on X/Twitter around 10 minutes ago, he said: ‘As today’s inflation news confirms, despite massive global shocks our country’s prospects have been transformed under Rishi’s leadership. It will be my honour to fight with every bone in my body to get him re-elected because we need a government that takes the difficult decisions necessary to unlock our nation’s extraordinary potential.

‘I will also stand for election in Godalming and Ash where I am proud of my local record and excited that the new boundaries include the town I went to school and the village I grew up in. It is a highly marginal seat so I will fight hard for every single vote!’

Protesters blared Labour’s 1997 theme song Things Can Only Get Better by D:Ream over megaphone as Rishi Sunak announced July 4 snap election today.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced the date of the General Election, saying it will take place at a time when ‘the world is more dangerous than it has been since the end of the Cold War’.

Standing in the rain outside Number 10 Mr Sunak said polls will open on July 4.

Loud music interrupted portions of his speech on Wednesday evening and his jacket became visibly wet as he spoke.

He said from a lectern: ‘In the last five years, our country has fought through the most challenging times since the Second World War.

‘As I stand here as your Prime Minister, I can’t help but reflect that my first proper introduction to you was just over four years ago.

‘I stood behind one of the podiums upstairs in the building behind me, I told you that we faced a generation-defining moment, and that we as a society would not be judged by some government action, but by the small acts of kindness that we showed one another.

‘You met that challenge – and then some – and I have never been prouder to be British.

‘And when I introduced the furlough scheme, I did so not because I saw a country simply in need of desperate help, albeit we were, but because I saw a country whose future hung in the balance.

‘I could be bold and trust in the tens of millions of you at home, that you would rise to the moment.

‘Or I could accept the inevitable: Millions of job losses, and pick up the pieces.

‘In truth, it was no choice at all – I have never and will never leave the people of this country to face the darkest of days alone, and you know that, because you’ve seen it.

‘As I did then, I will forever do everything in my power to provide you with the strongest possible protection I can – that is my promise to you.

‘Because for so many of us, it’s easy to forget the scale of what we’ve been through.

‘We were hit by a pandemic that upended normal life – who would have thought that the Government would ever tell us how many times a day we could leave our homes?

‘Then, just as we were recovering from Covid, war returned to Europe, with Putin’s invasion of Ukraine sending your energy bills spiralling.

‘I came to office above all to restore economic stability.

‘Economic stability is the bedrock of any future success; whether that is rising wages and good jobs, investment in our public services, or the defence of the country.

‘And because of our collective sacrifice and your hard work, we have reached two major milestones in delivering that stability.

‘Showing that when we work together, anything is possible.

‘Our economy is now growing faster than anyone predicted – outpacing Germany, France and the United States – and this morning, it was confirmed that inflation is back to normal.

‘This means that the pressure on prices will ease and mortgage rates will come down.

‘This is proof that the plan and priorities I set out are working.

‘I recognise that it has not always been easy – some of you will only just be starting to feel the benefits, and for some, it might still be hard when you look at your bank balance.

‘But this hard-earned economic stability was only ever meant to be the beginning – the question now is how, and who do you trust, to turn that foundation into a secure future for you, your family and our country.

‘Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future, to decide whether we want to build on the progress we have made or risk going back to square one with no plan and no certainty.

‘Earlier today, I spoke with His Majesty the King to request the dissolution of Parliament.

‘The King has granted this request, and we will have a general election on July 4.

‘This election will take place at a time when the world is more dangerous than it has been since the end of the Cold War.

‘Putin’s Russia is waging a brutal war in Ukraine and will not stop there if he succeeds. That war has also made it all too clear the risk to our energy security.

‘In the Middle East, the forces of Islamist extremism threaten regional and ultimately global stability.

‘These tensions are exploited by extremists who seek to undermine our values and divide our society here at home.

‘China is looking to dominate the 21st century by stealing a lead in technology and migration is being weaponised by hostile states to threaten the integrity of our borders.

‘These uncertain times call for a clear plan and bold action, to chart a course to a secure future. You must choose in this election, who has that plan, who is prepared to take the bold action necessary to secure a better future for our country and our children.

‘Now I cannot and will not claim that we have got everything right, no Government should, but I am proud of what we have achieved together, the bold actions we have taken and I’m confident about what we can do in the future.

‘We’ve tackled inflation, controlled debt, cut workers’ taxes, and increased the state pension by £900.

‘We’ve reduced taxes on investment and seized the opportunities of Brexit to make this the best country in the world to grow a business, put record amounts of funding into our NHS and ensured it is now training the doctors and nurses it needs in the decades to come.

‘We reformed education and our children are now the best readers in the western world.

‘We prioritise energy security and your family finances over environmental dogma in our approach to net zero.

‘We’ve fully funded an increase in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.

‘We made a decision to invest more in local transport that you actually use, rather than endlessly plough more money into HS2.

‘We set out a comprehensive plan to reform our welfare system to make it fair for those who pay for it, as well as those who need it.

‘Immigration is finally coming down and we are stopping the boats with our Rwanda partnership.

‘And we will ensure that the next generation grows up smoke free.

‘I hope that my work since I became Prime Minister shows that we have a plan and are prepared to take bold action necessary for our country to flourish.

‘Now I’ve stuck with that plan and always been honest with you about what is needed, even when that’s been difficult, because I’m guided by doing what is right for our country, not what is easy.

‘I can’t say the same thing for the Labour Party, because I don’t know what they offer and in truth I don’t think you know either and that’s because they have no plan, there is no bold action and as a result, the future can only be uncertain with them.

‘On July 5 either Keir Starmer or I will be prime minister.

‘He has shown time and time again that he will take the easy way out and do anything to get power.

‘If he was happy to abandon all the promises he made to become Labour leader once he got the job, how can you know that he won’t do exactly the same thing if he were to become prime minister.

‘If you don’t have the conviction to stick to anything you say, if you don’t have the courage to tell people what you want to do, and if you don’t have a plan, how can you possibly be trusted to lead our country, especially at this most uncertain of times?

‘Over the next few weeks, I will fight for every vote.

‘I will earn your trust.

‘And I will prove to you that only a Conservative government led by me will not put our hard-earned economic stability at risk, can restore pride and confidence in our country.

‘And with a clear plan and bold action will deliver a secure future for you, your family and our United Kingdom.’

Conservative MPs have reportedly been ‘caught off-guard’ by Rishi Sunak’s election announcement today, according to Sky News‘ Tamara Cohen.

She said that some of the Tories she spoke to were angry with no ground preparation for the forthcoming election in six weeks.

MPs and ministers have reportedly said this is an indication that the PM has ‘given up’ or ‘wants out’ of the top job, with one outgoing MP saying he ‘wants to spend the summer in Malibu’.

The Mail’s Stephen Pollard takes a look at why Rishi Sunak’s election gamble might be less bonkers than you think.

Scotland’s First Minister has said the General Election on July 4 will be a chance to ‘remove the Tory Government’.

Speaking after the announcement by Rishi Sunak, John Swinney set his sights firmly on the Prime Minister’s party rather than Labour, which polls suggest is the SNP’s closest rival in Scotland.

Posting on X, Mr Swinney said: ‘I look forward to leading @theSNP in this election.

‘This is the moment to remove the Tory Govt and put Scotland First by voting SNP.

‘People in Scotland know we stand up for them and protect them from the damage done by Westminster.’

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: ‘Following the Prime Minister’s statement this afternoon calling a General Election, the royal family will, in accordance with normal procedure, postpone engagements that may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign.

‘Their Majesties send their sincere apologies to any of those who may be affected as a result.’

The Greens’ double-headed leadership goes into the General Election determined to increase the party’s representation at Westminster from a lone MP.

Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay were elected co-leaders of the party in England and Wales in 2021 having promised to bring a greater degree of professionalism to its organisation and campaigning.

In doing so, they overcame the challenge of two more high-profile activists – deputy leader Amelia Womack and Extinction Rebellion co-founder Tamsin Omond.

They subsequently set out plans to target four seats which they believe are potentially winnable – including the newly-created constituency of Bristol Central, where Ms Denyer is standing.

Carla Denyer said: ‘At last. This is the moment the country has been waiting for – the chance to vote for a different vision of what our country can be. We are urging voters to elect at least four Green MPs to Parliament.’

Keir Starmer has said he has a ‘long term plan to rebuild Britain’ that is ‘fully costed’.

He said the plan will cut do things including cutting NHS waiting times and improve schools and stop sewage being pumped into the waterways.

The Labour leader said he will stop the ‘chaos’ of the Tories and that Labour will ‘return Britain to the service of working people’.

He says if the Tories last another five years that they will ‘br entitled to carry on exactly as they are… Nothing will change’

He added: ‘It is time for change’

In his speech, Starmer said said there is ‘so much pride and potential’ to be unlocked in Britain ‘with patience, determination and that commitment to service’.

Citing his record as director of public prosecutions, the Labour leader said: ‘Service of our country is the reason and the only reason why I am standing here now asking for your vote. I believe with patience, determination and that commitment to service, there is so much pride and potential we can unlock in our country.

‘So here it is, the future of the country in your hands.’

He spoke of a ‘rejection of the gesture politics you will see in this campaign I have no doubt from the Tories and the SNP’, saying Labour would approach the General Election in a new ‘spirit of service: country first, party second’.

Sir Keir Starmer is giving a speech after Rishi Sunak’s announcement and has asked the public for their vote to ‘change Britain with Labour’ in the election.

The General Election represents a chance to change the country for the better, Keir Starmer said.

Responding to the announcement of an election, he 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.’

After an extraordinary day of rumours, the premier has taken a massive gamble by announcing a July 4 date – despite Labour being miles ahead in the polls.

As his suit became drenched, and with protesters playing the New Labour anthem of ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ in the background, Mr Sunak pointed to inflation being ‘back to normal’ and he was ‘stopping the boats’.

Responding to the Prime Minister calling an election for July 4, Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey said: ‘This General Election is a chance to kick Rishi Sunak’s appalling Conservative Government out of office and deliver the change the public is crying out for.

‘For years the Conservative Party has taken voters for granted and lurched from crisis to crisis while the problems facing the country are getting so much worse.

‘The NHS has been brought to its knees, people’s mortgages and rents have soared by hundreds of pounds a month, and water companies have got away with pumping filthy sewage into our rivers and beaches – all because this Conservative Government is more interested in fighting between themselves than standing up for the needs of the country.

‘Every vote for the Liberal Democrats at this election is a vote for a strong local champion who will stand up for your community and health services.

‘It’s clear that in many seats across the country, the best way to beat the Conservatives is to vote for the Liberal Democrats.’

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves posted to X ‘Bring it on’ in the aftermath of

Rishi Sunak’s speech.

Sir Keir Starmer has declared ‘it’s time for change’ and told Britons to ‘vote Labour’ after the Prime Minister called a General Election for July 4.

The Labour Party tweeted a slick video of its leader saying: ‘Britain is a great and proud country. But after 14 years under the Tories, nothing seems to work anymore.

‘Public services crumbling, ambulances that don’t come, families weighed down by higher mortgage rates, antisocial behaviour on our high streets. The list goes on and on.

‘Political chaos feeding decline, feeding chaos, feeding decline. The answer is not five more years of the Tories. They have failed.

‘Give the Tories five more years and things will only get worse. Britain deserves better than that.’

In a statement, Downing Street said: ‘The Prime Minister has today asked His Majesty The King to proclaim the Dissolution of Parliament. His Majesty has been graciously pleased to signify that he will comply with this request.

‘Parliament will be prorogued on Friday 24 May. Dissolution will take place on Thursday 30 May. The General Election will take place on Thursday 4 July. The new Parliament will be summoned to meet on Tuesday 9 July, when the first business will be the election of the Speaker and the swearing-in of members, and the State Opening will be on Wednesday 17 July.’

Rishi Sunak said in his speech outside No10: ‘These uncertain times call for a clear plan and bold action to charter a course to a secure future.

‘You must choose in this election, who has that plan, who is prepared to take a bold action necessary to secure a better future for our country and our children?

‘Now, I cannot and will not claim that we have got everything right. No government should, but I am proud of what we have achieved together, the bold actions we have taken and I’m confident about what we can do in the future.

The Prime Minister listed increasing the state pension by £900, reducing taxes on investment and reforming education as among his Government’s achievements.

‘We prioritise energy security and your family finances over environmental dogma in our approach to net zero. We fully funded an increase in defence spending to two and a half percent of GDP.

‘We made a decision to invest more in local transport that you actually use rather than endlessly power more money into HS2. We set out a comprehensive plan to reform our welfare system to make it fair for those who pay for it, as well as those who need it. Immigration is finally coming down and we are stopping the boats with our Rwanda partnership.’

BBC polling expert Sir John Curtice has said that Rishi Sunak is either ‘extremely brave or incredibly foolhardy’ for calling an election when the Tories are hugely behind in the polls.

The Conservatives begin the General Election campaign trailing Labour in the opinion polls by around 20 percentage points – as they have done for most of the last 18 months.

An average of polls for the seven days to May 22 puts Labour on 45%, the Conservatives on 24%, Reform on 11%, the Liberal Democrats on 10% and the Greens on 7%.

The gap between Labour and the Tories is typical of the lead Sir Keir Starmer’s party has enjoyed since the autumn of 2022, when the 49-day premiership of Liz Truss saw the government’s poll ratings slide from the low 30s to the mid 20s.

There has been no significant movement in the polls by the two main parties for the past year-and-a-half, with the Conservatives’ weekly average remaining below 30% while Labour has stayed above 40%.

The Tories are on course for a wipeout at the general election according to the bookies.

Betfair Exchange gave Labour 2/13 odds of winnong an overal majority at the election on July 4.

No overall majority had odds fo 17/2 and the Tories had odds of just 37/1.

Rishi Sunak attacked the Labour Party and Sir Keir Starmer, saying they lacked a plan for the country.

He said: ‘I hope that my work since I became Prime Minister shows that we have a plan and are prepared to take bold action necessary for our country to flourish.

‘Now, I have stuck with that plan and always been honest with you about what is needed, even when that’s been difficult, because I’m guided by doing what is right for our country, not what is easy.

‘I can’t say the same thing for the Labour Party, because I don’t know what they offer and, in truth, I don’t think you know either.

‘And that’s because they have no plan, there is no bold action, and as a result the future can only be uncertain with them.’

Rishi Sunak says that while he will not claim that the Conservatives have not got everything right, they have had successes including getting inflation down, reducing immigration and stopping the boats with the Rwanda deal.

Rishi Sunak has said he has spoken with the King to request a dissolution of parliament to call a general election.

He said this request has been granted and the election will take place on Thursday, July 4.

The Labour 1997 General Election anthem Things Can Only Get Better by D:Ream is playing over Rishi Sunak’s speech.

A lectern bearing no Government crest has been placed outside Downing Street in a further sign of Rishi Sunak’s expected plans to call a general election.

The royal seal, which indicates an announcement relating to Government rather than party business, is absent from the front of the podium.

Rishi Sunak is talking about his time in Government, and how he implemented the furlough scheme during Covid.

‘I have never and will never leave the people of this country to face the darkest days alone,’ he said.

Rishi Sunak has stepped outside Downing Street.

The No10 member of staff branded ‘hot lectern guy’ has placed the PM’s podium outside Downing Street ahead of his statement this evening.

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office staff have gathered outside their offices to watch an announcement by Rishi Sunak through a side passage of Downing Street.

The world’s media have assembled in Downing Street in expectation of a statement by the Prime Minister about the date of the general election.

We are hoping to bring you Rishi Sunak’s Downing Street statement scheduled for 5pm.

Those in the know say Parliament will be dissolved next week.

The announcement will surely be music to Keir Starmer’s ears after repeatedly calling for an election.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will make a statement in Downing Street at 5pm, No 10 said, amid speculation he will call a July 4 general election.

Election memes have started to spring up on social media with multiple references to BBC satirical comedy The Thick of It.

Let’s take a look at some now.

Cabinet ministers have been pictured arriving in Downing Street amid rumours Rishi Sunak may call a surprise election.

The media presence in Downing Street has built up throughout Wednesday as rumours about an imminent announcement swirled on a rainy day in Westminster.

Asked by the media if an election was about to called, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride joked: “Too much rain”.

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Laura Trott and foreign minister Andrew Mitchell pictured below.

Our political editor James Tapsfield has laid out the reasons why Rishi Sunak should and shouldn’t call an election later tonight as all eyes turn to Westminster ahead of a possible announcement.

Why call an election now?

A ballot has been widely seen as likely to happen towards the end of the year, with the government hoping the economy will turn round.

The rumours gathered pace after Mr Sunak hailed a ‘major milestone’ with inflation tumbling to the lowest level in nearly three years.

The headline CPI rate slid from 3.2 per cent in March to 2.3 per cent last month – near the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target.

The PM said the figures showed that his plan is working and ‘brighter days are ahead’.

And why he shouldn’t trigger vote?

The strongest argument for going long is because the Tories are a long way behind in the polls.

The latest Savanta poll gave Labour a 17-point lead over the Tories. According to Electoral Calculus, those numbers would produce a 236 majority for Keir Starmer.

And the Savanta poll is not an outlier, other pollsters have the gap even wider.

Then there is the aforementioned small boat issue. If the Rwanda flights do not take off, or they fail to dissuade people from crossing, there is likely to be a backlash from voters in the autumn.

Under the current election laws, the prime minister of the day has a lot of power to decide when an election is. He needs to win a simple majority in a vote in the Commons to trigger a process which sets out a 25-day countdown to the vote.

If he tabled a vote today, the theoretical earliest an election could take place is June 27.

However, convention dictates that after an announcement, Parliament be given a few days to finish passing any unfinished business it wants to get done before being dissolved.

The date of July 4 is being floated, as it would allow this period, known in Westminster as ‘the wash up’, to take place. But a date later in the month is more likely as the remaining business would have to take place tomorrow.

Instead a date later in July is more likely.

Rumours of a general election were circulating first thing this morning and gathered pace when Rishi Sunak hailed a ‘major milestone’ with inflation tumbling to the lowest level in nearly three years.

BBC Political Editor Chris Mason then fuelled speculation by saying the Prime Minister was ‘twitchy’ about the election timing.

During PMQs this lunchtime, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said in the Commons: ‘Speculation is rife, so I think the public deserve a clear answer to a simple question. Does the Prime Minister intend to call a summer general election or is he feart?’

Mr Sunak replied:

There is, Mr Speaker, spoiler alert, there is going to be a general election in the second half of this year.

At that moment, the British people will in fact see the truth about the honourable gentleman opposite me, because that will be the choice at the next election Mr Speaker, a party that is not able to say to the country what they would do, a party that would put at risk our hard-earned economic stability, or the Conservatives that are delivering a secure future for our United Kingdom.

But anticipation has continued to build with Lord Cameron is cutting short a trip to Albania to be back in time for a Cabinet meeting at 4.15pm, while Jeremy Hunt has cancelled an appearance on ITV tonight.

The reason some Conservatives may be scratching their heads at rumours the country may be about to head to the polls may result from Labour’s dominant position in the polls.

Labour have consistently led in the opinion surveys for a while now with some giving Keir Starmer’s party a near 20 point lead over Mr Sunak.

The latest Savanta poll gave Labour a 17-point lead over the Tories. According to Electoral Calculus, those numbers would produce a 236 majority for Keir Starmer.

He would have 443 MPs, while the Conservatives would have just 124. That is compared to the 376 returned in Boris Johnson’s 2019 landslide.

If you’re just joining us this afternoon, let’s try and get you up to speed with the main points you need to know ahead of a possible announcement later:

• Speculation Rishi Sunak will pull the trigger on an election contest is fevered as the Prime Minister meets his Cabinet at 4.15pm
• Mr Sunak insisted earlier today any ballot will happen in the ‘second half of the year’ as he was grilled at PMQs
• But rumours have ramped up after Jeremy Hunt cancelled an appearance on ITV tonight while Lord Cameron has cut short a trip to Albania to be back in time for the meeting
• Senior Conservative sources initially claimed briefing was coming from Labour, but have pointedly refused to rule out the PM making an announcement later
• The drama is threatening to spark a major row in the Tory party with MPs telling MailOnline Mr Sunak has a death wish while one MP suggested they could attempt a coup to dissolve Parliament

We will bring you the latest on this developing story.

Our political editor James Tapsfield reports how election fever has today gripped Westminster amid rumours Rishi Sunak is about to call a snap vote.

He reports the drama threatens to cause a major Tory row, with MPs telling us that Mr Sunak has a ‘death wish’ and the Parliamentary party will go ‘nuts’ if he tries to call an election.

Read his report here:

MailOnline will be providing live updates this afternoon amid frenzied rumours that a date for the general election could be announced later today.

Rishi Sunak will host a Cabinet meeting at 4.15pm today with anticipation building he could spring the surprise vote afterwards.

Speculation has steadily ramped up throughout the day with the Prime Minister asked about it at PMQs while ministers cut short trips and cancel planned television appearances ahead of the meeting.

Follow our coverage as we bring you the latest news from Westminster plus reaction and analysis to this potentially seismic moment.