UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that the next general election will take place on July 4.

Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition Labour Party, welcomed the news, calling it "the moment the country has been waiting for."

Mr. Sunak made the announcement as his party, the Conservatives, faces its lowest polling numbers since October 2022, trailing Labour by 21 percent. Despite this, speaking outside Number 10 Downing Street, he expressed pride in his government's achievements, particularly in education.

After five years of political turmoil in Britain, Rishi Sunak has navigated a challenging landscape. Previously, he lost the leadership election after Boris Johnson was forced to resign as Prime Minister due to a scandal involving dishonesty. Subsequently, Liz Truss succeeded Johnson as Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister, only to resign after just six weeks in office.

Mr. Sunak then announced his candidacy for the leadership once more. Following the announcement of the new election date, Parliament will adjourn on Friday.

Mr. Sunak has declared that he will "fight for every vote." Many had anticipated an autumn election, believing it would provide more time to close the opinion gap with the Labour Party.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, remarked that it was time for a change from "Tory tyranny.





Labour holds a substantial lead in the national opinion polls and is now gearing up for an intensive campaign.

Parliament will adjourn on Friday, with its activities ceasing on Thursday. This will mark the start of a five-week election campaign.

With just two days remaining for important legislation to pass, some significant government initiatives may be left unfinished.

Originally, the election was expected to take place in October or November.

However, speculation began on Wednesday morning when inflation was reported to be at its lowest level in three years.

Even during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, the timing of the announcement remained uncertain.

Later, in a statement outside Downing Street, Sunak addressed the decline in inflation and announced the election date. This move is seen as an indication that his campaign will focus on economic recovery after a period of rising living costs.

Citing the reduction in inflation and the move away from recession, Mr. Sunak stated, "These prove that the plans and priorities that were taken have worked properly."

However, he did not provide detailed explanations. Some members of the Conservative Party were uncertain about the election date announcement.

"I don't get it," one MP told the BBC. "The economy is doing well. So why not take more time?"

A senior minister expressed frustration with Sunak's speech, noting, "Labour MPs are happy. We are not."

Meanwhile, in a televised statement shortly after the Prime Minister's announcement, Sir Keir Starmer criticized the Tories' "anarchy" for damaging the country's economy. He said the election presents an opportunity for Labour to bring political stability to the country.

"It's time for a change," he said, criticizing the Conservative government. "Giving the Tories another five years will only worsen the situation. Britain deserves better."

Meanwhile, SNP leader John Sweeney, who became Scotland's First Minister this month, stated that the election was an opportunity to "remove the Tory government and put Scotland first."

Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, remarked that this could be an opportunity to oust Rishi Sunak's corrupt government.

Reform UK leader Richard Tice added, "The Tories have broken Britain, but Labour will bankrupt Britain."