Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Wednesday a national election would be held in the second half of the year when asked about rumors in parliament that the British leader might call a vote to take place in the summer.

"Spoiler alert: there is going to be a general election in the second half of this year," Sunak told parliament. However, rumors swirled around parliament on Wednesday, among lawmakers and journalists, that he could move earlier and call a national election in early July.

October or November had been seen as the most likely timing by most pundits.