Shock summer election in Britain predicted to deliver ‘historic’ result

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ended months of speculation this week by announcing a national election on July 4, as forecasts suggest his right-wing Conservative Party is likely to be ousted after 14 years in power.

News of the vote came as a surprise to the public, the media and much of Sunak’s own party. It had been expected to take place in the fall, ahead of a deadline of Jan. 28, 2025, giving the Conservatives more time to turn around weak poll ratings in which they have lagged the center-left Labour...