At 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, Rishi Sunak stepped out of Number 10 Downing Street10 Downing Street, in central London, has been the official home of the UK prime minister since 1735. and into the pouring rain. Dozens of journalists and news readers were waiting to hear him speak.

"Earlier today I spoke with His Majesty The King," he said. "We will have a general electionIn the UK, when an election is held for all 650 members of the House of Commons. One must take place every five years. on the 4th of July." 

So why call an election now? The UK holds an election at least once every five years - and the last one was in 2019. For a long time, the Conservative PartyA British political party. Members are known as Tories. leader has spoken of an election in "the second half of the year".

Sunak has just about kept his promise - but most people thought it would be in the autumn. This means the LabourBritain's main left-of-centre political party. party, who hope to win the election, do not have as much time to prepare as they thought.

There was also some good news for Rishi Sunak this week. InflationAn increase in the price of goods in an economy.  has fallen to 2.3%. He hopes that voters will still remember this when they vote.

Can this save him? Probably not, most people agree. Labour is way ahead in the pollsWhen people are asked what their opinion is on a certain topic or who they are voting for in an election. , at 44% compared to 23%.

The ToriesThe Tory Party was the former name of the Conservative Party. The phrase is still used to refer to Conservatives.  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 MPsMembers of Parliament. MPs are elected to represent people in 650 different geographical areas.  hope that Britons will vote for what they know. 

Later, Labour leader Keir StarmerThe leader of the UK Labour Party since 2020 and British prime minister since July 2024. had one word on his podiumA small platform on which a person stands to be seen by an audience, as when making a speech, receiving a prize, or conducting an orchestra.: "Change." 

Is this the end of the Tory party?

Yes! The polls look terrible for the Conservatives. Almost nobody thinks they will win. It is simply a question of how much they will lose by.

No! The polls have been wrong before. A lot can change in six weeks. We do not know if voters will like what Keir Starmer has to say before the election.