Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, from the Conservative Party, has called a surprise general election for July 4.
Legally, a vote did not need to be held until late January next year.
Sunak's Conservatives, which have been in government since 2010, have trailed the opposition Labour Party in every opinion poll published since January 2022.
"Over the next few weeks I will fight for every vote, I will earn your trust, and I will prove to you that only 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, we will deliver secure future for you, your family and our United Kingdom," the PM said outside his official London residence, No.10 Downing Street, just after 5pm local time on Wednesday.
Since they've been in power, the Conservatives have churned through five prime ministers: David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Sunak.
Labour — led by Sir Keir Starmer — is considered the clear frontrunner for the election, and a YouGov poll published in The Times newspaper last week put its lead at 27 percentage points.
Mr Sunak had repeatedly said that the election would be called in the second half of 2024 and said so again when asked about it in the House of Commons on Wednesday local time.
Mr Sunak took over from Ms Truss, who had been in office for just 49 days, in late 2021.
Legally, a vote did not need to be held until late January next year.
Sunak's Conservatives, which have been in government since 2010, have trailed the opposition Labour Party in every opinion poll published since January 2022.
"Over the next few weeks I will fight for every vote, I will earn your trust, and I will prove to you that only 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, we will deliver secure future for you, your family and our United Kingdom," the PM said outside his official London residence, No.10 Downing Street, just after 5pm local time on Wednesday.
Since they've been in power, the Conservatives have churned through five prime ministers: David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Sunak.
Labour — led by Sir Keir Starmer — is considered the clear frontrunner for the election, and a YouGov poll published in The Times newspaper last week put its lead at 27 percentage points.
Mr Sunak had repeatedly said that the election would be called in the second half of 2024 and said so again when asked about it in the House of Commons on Wednesday local time.
Mr Sunak took over from Ms Truss, who had been in office for just 49 days, in late 2021.
