Britain’s first national election in five years will take place on May 6, Prime Minister Gordon Brown planned to announce Tuesday, launching a monthlong campaign that could end in his ouster and the return of the opposition Conservative Party to power for the first time in 13 years. After months of anticipation over the election date, Brown will finally play his hand, traveling to Buckingham Palace to ask Queen Elizabeth II for permission to dissolve Parliament and call the first national vote since 2005.
A Labour Party official, who requested anonymity to discuss the announcement in advance, confirmed Brown would announce a May 6 poll on Tuesday, after a morning meeting of his Cabinet and an audience with the queen.