Revealed: As Rishi Sunak shocks the nation with a snap election, the Mail looks at the key battle grounds ahead of July 4 vote

UK Daily Mail ^ | May 23 | By ARTHUR PARASHAR

[RandFan]

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last night took a huge gamble by pulling the trigger on a snap election.

The Tory leader has long insisted the national vote would happen in the second half of this year, which many in Westminster thought to mean October or November.

But on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Sunak stepped out into the pouring rain to deliver a speech outside Downing Street in which he called a surprise summer election on July 4.

Despite some backbenchers claiming the early poll date is a 'death wish', the defiant PM hopes signs of a recovering economy will help him overturn Labour's 20-point opinion poll lead.

As the country gears up for a titanic showdown in six weeks, MailOnline looks at the key hotspots to watch....

[RandFan]

Remember when looking at the Map: Blue = Tories

Look at what they squandered when Boris won a 80 seat majority last time.

Imagine the GOP Having that majority in Congress.

Also, you have to laugh at the chosen date for an election.

Is it some kind of sick joke? On July 4 Britain lost America and this July 4 when Labour Wins it loses everything else, possibly?

[phil00071]

The Tories have brought this situation on themselves by failing to keep their promises to voters. Boris Johnson and other Tory “leaders” have reneged on their promises to reduce immigration, curtail government spending, and resist environmental radicalism. Now, the UK will pay a terrible price for the next five years.

[RandFan]

100% correct and astute.

[Chickensoup]

Interesting that he calls just as Wilders is defeated

[struggle]

It’s sad Nigel doesn’t bring his own 3rd party back. I’m sure most Britons are frustrated as they have no politically sane group to vote for.

[from occupied ga]

No politically sane group reflects the majority of the UK voters - not sane.

[mac_truck]

It’s sad Nigel doesn’t bring his own 3rd party back.

Reform UK is currently polling at ~12%, although Farage himself has said he won't stand as leader in this election. No worries though, Reform UK is poised to take a good sized (and richly deserved) bite out of the Tories right hind end on July 4th.

[usafa92]

It’s still there. It’s called Reform-UK now. However, Nigel has stepped away and is not involved. They are the conservative alternative to the Tories and are polling around 10%