Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called a summer UK general election to take place on Thursday 4 July.

He had been widely expected to wait until the autumn before triggering the poll, which does not legally have to be held until January 2025.

But in a surprise move, he announced the first July election since 1945.

It will see the Conservatives try to win a fifth consecutive term in office, taking on Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party, which is ahead in opinion polls.

In a statement in Downing Street, he pointed to falling inflation to claim his administration was delivering "hard-earned economic stability".

It came after it was announced inflation in the year to April fell to 2.3%, the lowest annual figure in almost three years.

Labour has insisted it is ready for a summer election, with shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves saying "bring it on" in response.

(Source: BBC)