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Rishi Sunak has vowed to “fight for every vote” as he called an early UK general election for Thursday 4 July.<\/b><\/p>\n
The PM made the announcement in a rain-soaked speech outside 10 Downing Street, as he bids to win a fifth term in office for the Conservatives.<\/p>\n
The surprise move overturned expectations of an autumn poll, which might have given the Tories a better chance of closing the gap with Labour.<\/p>\n
Sir Keir Starmer said it was “time for change” away from “Tory chaos”. <\/p>\n
Labour has been posting large leads in national opinion polls, and has insisted it has a fully organised campaign ready to go. <\/p>\n
Parliament will now be suspended on Friday, before it is formally shut down on Thursday next week ahead of an official five-week election campaign. <\/p>\n
It means there are only two days to pass any outstanding legislation – a move which will mean some of the government’s measures will have to be abandoned.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n