POLL OF THE DAY: Is a July election the end of the Tory Party? - YOUR VERDICT

He said: "Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future" and vowed he has “never and will never leave the people of this country to face the darkest of days alone”.

Speculation had been growing since the morning, after he hailed new figures which showed inflation has dropped to 2.3 per cent.

He vowed "brighter days" were ahead, calling today's data a "major moment for our economy".

Keir Starmer reacted to the news saying the election is a chance to "change for the better".

With his party 20 points ahead in the polls, Starmer said: "Tonight, the Prime Minister has finally announced the next General Election, a moment the country needs and has been waiting for and where, by the force of our democracy, power returns to you.

“A chance to change for the better your future, your community, your country.

“It will feel like a long campaign, I am sure of that, but no matter what else is said and done, that opportunity for change is what this election is about.”

Labour's odds of winning an overall majority are at 1-10, according to bookmakers Coral.

They are at 1-20 to pick up the most seats.

Coral's John Hill said: "We think it is going to be one of the worst elections in history for the Conservatives, as Labour are long odds-on to pick up an overall majority in what would be a monumental swing from the 2019 election."

56 per cent of GB News members who voted in the poll agree with the statement that a July election would mark the end of the Tory Party.

On the other hand 35 per cent disagree, while nine per cent are unsure.