Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces general election for July 4

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced there will be a general election later this year.

He made an announcement outside Downing Street at 5.15pm - revealing that voters will head to the polls on July 4.

The Tory leader said: “Now is the moment for Britain to choose it’s future, build on the progress it’s made or go back to square one.

“Earlier this day I spoke to the King to dissolve parliament and he’s granted this request and we will have a general election on July 4.”

Mr Sunak, who has been PM since October 22 2022, when he replaced Liz Truss, had a request to the King to dissolve parliament accepted.

It follows a difficult period for the Conservatives, who have suffered two defections by backbench MPs and a drubbing at the local elections earlier this month.

Polls continue to suggest the Tories are on course to lose the forthcoming vote, with Labour retaining a double-digit polling lead.

The latest possible date Mr Sunak could have held the election is January 28, 2025.

At the last election in December 2019, former Tory leader Boris Johnson cemented a Conservative majority.