Throughout the afternoon, a slow trickle of rumours turned into a torrent.

As the skies opened and the rain fell, the drips of news kept coming. 

Just after 1 o'clock, foreign secretaryIn the UK, the politician in charge of how Britain deals with other countries. David Cameron cut short a visit to Albania. At 2.30, chancellor Jeremy Hunt pulled out of a television appearance. 

Reporters rushed to Downing Street10 Downing Street, in central London, has been the official home of the UK prime minister since 1735. , holding their umbrellas aloft. Something big was happening. 

At 5 o'clock, the news was confirmed. Sunak stepped out of Number 10 and into a downpour. "Earlier today I spoke with His Majesty The King to request the dissolutionAn official ending. of parliament," he declared. "The king has granted this request, and we will have a general election on the 4th of July." 

So why call an election now? For a long time, the ConservativesA traditionally right-wing or centre right political party in the UK. Members are sometimes called Tories. have spoken of an election in "the second half of the year".¹ Technically, Sunak has kept his promise - but there is no doubt the timing is a surprise. Labour will now have to scramble to publish their manifestoA statement published by a person or group of people, especially a political party, or a government, in which they say what their aims and policies are. months before they expected.

Some point to a small series of good news headlines for Sunak in recent days. After months of skyrocketing prices, inflationAn increase in the price of goods in an economy.  has fallen back to 2.3%. His scheme to send asylumWhen a state agrees to shelter somebody who is fleeing dangerous circumstances. The right to asylum is protected in international law by the 1951 Refugee Convention. seekers to RwandaA country in the centre of Africa. At least 500,000 people were killed in the appalling genocide of 1994. has passed into law. Sunak may be hoping that when voters cast their ballots, these stories will still be fresh in their minds. 

Can this save him? Almost certainly not, most people agree. Labour is soaring ahead in the polls, at 44% to the Tories 23%.

If Sunak had waited, he may have had evidence to prove to British voters that life really is getting better, declared an editorialA newspaper article expressing the opinion of the editor on a specific issue. in right-wingSometimes referred to as 'conservative', this is a range of political beliefs that emphasise the value of tradition, individual freedom and responsibility, low taxes and a hands-off approach to government. magazine The Spectator yesterday. "Calling an early election is an admission of defeat." Some ToryA member of the Conservative party.  MPsMembers of Parliament. MPs are elected to represent people in 650 different geographical areas.  were not pleased. 

In contrast, Labour MPs ended the day happy. Rishi Sunak gave his speech in the rain, at times nearly drowned out by protesters. Opposition leader Keir Starmer gave his response indoors, staying dry.  

The Tories have been in power for 14 years, with five different leaders. In his speech, Sunak spoke of the Labour party. "I don't know what they offer," he told voters. Conservative officials hope that Britons will vote for what they know. 

Later, Keir Starmer had one word on his podium: "Change."

Is this suicide for the Tory party?

Yes: The polls for the Conservatives are abysmal. Many MPs have chosen to stand down rather than lose their seat. It is simply a question of how much the Tories will lose by.

No: Rishi Sunak will have chosen the timing of the election carefully. He has had some recent wins. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has not yet faced his biggest challenges.

Or... A week is a long time in politics - or so the saying goes. And the Tories have six of them to turn it around. Much can change during a campaign.