London: Britain’s Parliament has been dissolved ahead of a general election on July 4 that looks set to bring Labor to power after four years of Conservative rule.
The five-week campaign officially began after 650 seats fell vacant at one minute past midnight (2301 GMT) according to the election schedule.
The first week of campaigning got off to a shaky start after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a rainy general election, with many observers blaming the rain.
The election is being held on July 4, rather than at the end of the year, in what observers say is an attempt to gain momentum as the party stagnates in the polls.
After 14 years in opposition, Labor now has a chance to take back power, led by former human rights lawyer Keir Starmer.
The ruling party, which trails Labor by two points in the polls, is also experiencing a mass exodus of MPs, with some throwing in the towel on the prospect of victory.
So far, around 129 members of parliament have announced that they will not seek re-election. Among them there is an unprecedented 77 Conservatives for the government.
Among the Tories running for re-election, some have not announced that they have secured a July election date.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Steve Baker has decided to continue his holiday in Greece and will prepare his campaign there.
Before he was immediately suspended by the Conservatives, there were signs of a clash with a Tory MP who supported a candidate from the right-wing populist British Reform Party in his constituency.