The UK’s next general election date has been set for July 4th.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the move outside Downing Street after 5pm today following a Cabinet meeting earlier this afternoon.

Speculation had been mounting around Westminster of a snap poll, with Sunak having suggested it would take place in the “second half of the year”.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, along with Boris Johnson and Sajid Javid in September 2021.  Image: Ian Davidson/Alamy Live News

The Prime Minister said the time is now for the UK to decide its future.

“[The people will] decide whether we want to build on the progress we’ve made, or risk going back to square one with no plan or no certainty," he said.

“Earlier today I spoke to 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 4th of July.”

Challenging term

Sunak also said it’s been a challenging term for his Government.

“In the last five years, our country has fought through its most challenging time since the Second World War," he said.

“As I stand here as Prime Minister, I can’t help but reflect that my first proper introduction to you (the UK public) was four years ago.

“I told you we faced a generation-defining moment and that we as a society would not be judged by some Government action, but by the small acts of kindness we show one another.

“You met that challenge, and then some, and I have never been prouder to be British.”

Labour leader Keir Starmer. Image: Simon Dack News / Alamy Stock Photo

Under parliamentary rules, there have to be 25 working days between the dissolution of parliament - at the request of the prime minister - and voters going to the polls.

Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party took a hit earlier this month, losing 474 seats in the local elections, while Keir Starmer gained 186 seats with Labour to become the country’s largest party at local level.

The last general election was held in 2019 when Boris Johnson won the Conservatives a landslide over Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party.

Since then, there have been two more prime ministers, Liz Truss and Mr Sunak, and the Conservatives' 80-seat majority has been reduced.

Main image: Rishi Sunak pictured making the general election announcement at Downing Street today. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo