Sunak says Labour taking victory for granted as Starmer calls on voters to ‘stop the chaos’ – as it happened

11.40pm BST

Closing summary

Thank you for following along on this eventful day. The blog is now closing. Here is a closing summary:

• The prime minister Rishi Sunak has called a surprise general election, which will be held on 4 July.

• He said his premiership has been focused on restoring economic stability, which he described as “the bedrock of any future success”.

• He claimed that voters don’t know what they’re getting with Keir Starmer because he doesn’t keep promises and Labour doesn’t have a plan.

• The speech took place in the middle of torrential rain, and was drowned out by a protester playing a “trolling” song: ‘Things can only get Better’ by D:Ream, the anthem synonymous with New Labour’s 1997 general election landslide.

• Starmer declared a vote for Labour is a vote for stability, and stressed his commitment to public service.

• In Sunak’s first election rally, he emphasised the need for security in a world of multiple threats.

• “Furious” Conservative MPs are said to be plotting to call off the general election and replace Sunak as leader before parliament is dissolved next Thursday. Some political journalists are reporting that several letters of no confidence in Sunak have been submitted to the chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady.

That’s it from me, Donna Ferguson. If you want to continue following news on the election, head to our newly created General Election 2024 section.

Updated at 11.52pm BST

11.36pm BST

The former Conservative MEP for London, Dr Charles Tannock, has announced on X that he will be voting Labour for the first time in the general election.

He endorsed Joe Powell, his Labour candidate in Kensington & Bayswater, for exuding an “appealing mix of competence, integrity and decency with internationalist and proEU instincts.”

For my first time ever I'll vote Labour @ GE on 4/7. I've met @josephpowell my Lab candidate who exudes an appealing mix of competence, integrity & decency with internationalist & proEU instincts. He'll make a fine MP & future Minister & is best placed to unseat Tory Brexiteer MP

— Dr Charles Tannock (@CharlesTannock) May 22, 2024