The leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer has given his reaction to Rishi Sunak's election announcement.

The Prime Minister has announced a general election in the Summer to be held on July 4.

Sir Keir said: "It's time for change."

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves posted to X, formerly Twitter: "Bring it on" in the aftermath of Sunak’s speech.

Change. pic.twitter.com/bgjiCnc3OG

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 22, 2024

In a video posted on social media, Starmer said: "Britain is a great and proud country. But after 14 years under the Tories, nothing seems to work anymore."

Meanwhile, responding to today's announcement, Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey said: “This General Election is a chance to kick Rishi Sunak’s appalling Conservative Government out of office and deliver the change the public is crying out for.

"For years the Conservative Party has taken voters for granted and lurched from crisis to crisis while the problems facing the country are getting so much worse.

"The NHS has been brought to its knees, people’s mortgages and rents have soared by hundreds of pounds a month, and water companies have got away with pumping filthy sewage into our rivers and beaches – all because this Conservative Government is more interested in fighting between themselves than standing up for the needs of the country.

He added: "Every vote for the Liberal Democrats at this election is a vote for a strong local champion who will stand up for your community and health services. It’s clear that in many seats across the country, the best way to beat the Conservatives is to vote for the Liberal Democrats."