Sunak has taken an astonishing gamble in going for a general election

Polls show Labour more than 20 points ahead, an opposition lead usually only seen at exceptionally bad moments in a midterm

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Rishi Sunak has taken an astonishing gamble in going for a general election at a time when there is still a little room to delay and the governing party is in such poor shape with public opinion.

The Guardian's poll of polls shows Labour 21.7 points ahead of the Conservatives, with 44.7% of the vote to 22.9%. Poll leads of more than 20 points are usually only seen at exceptionally bad moments in the midterm.