CRI听力:Parliament Dissolved before British General Election

Britain's election campaign has officially kicked off, with Prime Minister David Cameron visiting the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

The royal audience has followed on the heels of parliament being dissolved ahead of the May 7th vote.

Cameron's visit to the Queen is a courtesy, rather than a necessity.

The election is the first time the historic practice of prime ministers asking the monarch to dissolve parliament has not been required.

Cameron has since launched the campaigning, suggesting the British people will have to choose between his Conservative Party and what he calls the economic chaos of the opposition Labour Party.

"The next prime minister walking through that door will be me or Ed Miliband. You can choose an economy that grows, that creates jobs, that generates the money to ensure a properly-funded and improving National Health Service, a government that will cut taxes for 30 million hard-working people, and a country that is safe and secure. Or you can choose the economic chaos of Ed Miliband."

At the same time, Miliband has begun launching attacks on Cameron's record with the European Union, accusing him of playing political games with Britain's membership in the bloc.

Early polling has suggested the race could be tight, though Cameron's Conservatives do maintain a slight advantage at the moment.