PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak has called a snap general election for July this year.
Sunak had previously confirmed that the election would be taking place in the second half of this year, with the end of the 5-year period of parliament set for January.
Now he has confirmed that the election is set to take place on July 4
Speaking outside of Downing Street at around 5pm today, Sunak said: “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.
“The question now is who do you trust to turn that foundation into a secure future for you and your family and 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 the Fourth of July.”
This means that parliament will be dissolved at the end of next week.
Rumours of an election mounted during Prime Minister’s Questions in parliament earlier today, Wednesday, May 22, but the PM would not be drawn on a specific date.
He instead doubled down on his previous stance, saying: “Spoiler alert—there’s going to be a general election in the second half of this year.
Rumours had begun to suggest that a cabinet meeting, set for 4pm today, would be followed by an announcement on the upcoming election.
They cited the fact that Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, had pulled out of a planned interview with Robert Peston set for this evening, as well as the fact that international trips by the Foreign Secretary, ex-PM David Cameron, and Defence Secretary Grant Schapps were cut short or delayed.
The Prime Minister has also held a series of meetings with key party members such as Oliver Dowden in the last few days.
