Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces General Election to take place on Thursday, July 4

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called a General Election.

He made the announcement outside Downing Street at 5pm - revealing that people will head to the polls on Thursday, July 4.

He said: “Earlier today I spoke with his majesty the King to request the dissolution of Parliament.

“The King ahs 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, will then travel to Buckingham Palace to ask the King to dissolve parliament.

Speaking at PMQs this lunchtime, the PM repeated his insistence an election would take place in the second half of the year amid mounting speculation he could have his eye on a summer polling day.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said: “Speculation is rife, so I think the public deserve a clear answer to a simple question. Does the Prime Minister intend to call a summer general election or is he feart?”

Mr Sunak replied: “There is, Mr Speaker – spoiler alert – there is going to be a general election in the second half of this year.

“At that moment, the British people will in fact see the truth about the honourable gentleman opposite me (Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer), because that will be the choice at the next election, Mr Speaker – a party that is not able to say to the country what they would do, a party that would put at risk our hard-earned economic stability, or the Conservatives that are delivering a secure future for our United Kingdom.”

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.

In the Advertiser area, the Newark constituency is held by Conservative Robert Jenrick, seen by some as a likely leadership contender if the election is lost and Rishi Sunak departs.

In 2019 the result was Con 63.3%, Lab 23.4%, Lib Dem 9.69%, Green 3.56%.

The Sherwood constituency is currently held by Conservative Sir Mark Spencer, holds the Sherwood seat.

In 2019 the result was Con 60.8%, Lab 30.1%, Lib Dem 5.47%, Green 2.3%, others 1.33%.

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

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