British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced a General Election in the United Kingdom for 4 July, according to various British media reports.
Sunak made the announcement outside 10 Downing Street at just after 17:00 local time on Wednesday afternoon, following a cabinet meeting, Sky News, The Guardian and ITV reported. He said that King Charles III had granted the dissolution of parliament, and the election would be on Thursday 4 July.
The Labour Party, the main opposition, is currently the heavy favourite to win the upcoming election.
Previously, Sunak had only hinted at having election plans for "the second half of the year". However, due to the dismal Conservative party poll results, pressure is mounting on the Prime Minister to request voters to cast their votes, or at the very least clarify his intentions. Notably, the elections can in theory be held any time before January 2025.
A combination of positive economic news, including a return of growth and a slowdown in inflation, may have convinced him to make the move.
Following 14 years of Conservative power, punctuated by the Brexit referendum and a succession of five Prime Ministers in eight years, Brits appear ready for change and to elect Labour leader and former lawyer Keir Starmer.
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The Labour Party, positioned centre-left, currently leads in the polls with around 45% of the voting intent. The Conservatives are trailing significantly with between 20% and 25%, and the anti-immigration, anti-climate change policies party, Reform UK, at 12%.
Given the UK's simple majority voting system in its 650 constituencies, such results could translate to a comprehensive majority for Labour.
