Theresa May to make MAJOR announcement in Downing St sparking early election claims
Immediately after chairing Cabinet this morning, Mrs May will make a rare announcement outside Number 10 at 11.15am. Such a move is usually reserved for major news, ramping up claims she could call an early election. The last time Mrs May spoke outside Number 10 was her maiden speech as Prime Minister. David Cameron previously spoke in Downing Street to announce his resignation and, prior to that, to announce the date of the EU referendum. Downing Street were remaining tight-lipped on any details of this morning's statement.
GETTY Theresa May will make a major statement in Downing Street
The Prime Minister has consistently ruled out going to the polls earlier than May 2020, with the Fixed-Terms Parliaments Act also making it more difficult for Mrs May to call an early election. In March, Downing Street strenuously denied Mrs May would call a vote before 2020. A Number 10 source said the Prime Minister has been "clear and consistent in her position: that she does not think there should be" an early general election, while another added: "It's not going to happen."
Theresa May's political career in pictures Tue, April 18, 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May has promised to 'build a greater Britain' Play slideshow EPA 1 of 116 Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud (R) meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May in the capital Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 05 April 2017. May is visiting Saudi Arabia as part of her Middle East trip to boost diplomatic ties in the region