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.

• The surprise move overturned expectations of an autumn poll, which might have given the Tories a better chance of closing the gap with Labour. 
• Sir Keir Starmer said it was "time for change" away from "Tory chaos".
• Labour has been posting large leads in national opinion polls, and has insisted it has a fully organised campaign ready to go.
• Parliament will now be suspended on Friday( 24 May), before it is formally shut down on Thursday next week ahead of an official five-week election campaign.