Britain to hold general election on May 6

LONDON - Britain’s general election will be held on May 6, Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced Tuesday.

Brown, 59, will be seeking an unprecedented fourth term for the ruling Labour Party in the poll. But he faces a stark challenge from the Conservatives, who hope to return to power under David Cameron after 13 years in opposition.

The Liberal Democrats, the third party in British politics, hope to increase their share of the vote and play a key role in the formation of the new government, should the outcome be close.