Britain goes to the polls: PM Rishi Sunak calls election on 4 July

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called a general election for 4 July, saying "now is the moment for Britain to choose its future".

In a statement outside Downing Street, the British prime minister said he had met with King Charles III to request the dissolution of parliament.

"The King has granted this request and we will have a general election on the 4th of July", Sunak said.

British political analysts have said the surprise move is a huge electoral gamble given Labour are ahead by about 20 points in the polls. It comes after official figures showed inflation had come down to 2.3% in April.

Sunak said this is "proof that the plan and priorities I set out are working".

However, he said "this hard-earned economic stability was only ever meant to be the beginning".

“The question now is how and who do you trust to turn that foundation into a secure future for you, your family and our country?” he said. "Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future and 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."