General Election reaction: Tories, Labour Lib Dem and greens react
GETTY Jeremy Corbyn's Labour could be wiped off the face of the map at the next General Election
Theresa May's announcement that a General Election will be held on June 8 was greeted with resounding support from within her own ranks and Conservatives are confident they will wipe the floor with Labour. It is also believed the election will provide her with the mandate she needs to steer Britain through Brexit, free from the ball and chain of parliamentary remoaners. Daniel Kawczynski, Tory MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, said: "She is pursuing a very erudite and effective type of Brexit which is going to be great for the country. "Labour is clearly trying to undermine her and her objectives. She has a majority support from the electorate, I really think that, and this would give her more power to push through the type of Brexit this country needs. "There is speculation that we could lose some seats to the Lib Dems but I see us strengthening our position overall, especially with regard to Labour."
David Morris, Conservative MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, added: "I think Labour are going to lose 100 seats. "My initial reaction is Theresa May wants a majority so we can sort out the problems facing the country. It gives her a mandate." This would chime with what Mrs May said in her landmark speech outside Downing Street. She said this was a time for "strength" and "unity".
Politicians react as Theresa May calls snap general election on June 8 Tue, April 18, 2017 UK Prime Minister Theresa May has announced her intention to hold an early general election on June 8 Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 5 Theresa May has called for a snap general election
Jeremy Corbyn, who took more than an hour to respond to the Prime Minister's announcement, finally struck back, and he certainly does not agree that his party is staring down the barrel of complete annihilation. He said: "I welcome the prime minister’s decision to give the British people the chance to vote for a government that will put the interests of the majority first. "Labour will be offering the country an effective alternative to a government that has failed to rebuild the economy, delivered falling living standards and damaging cuts to our schools and NHS. "In the last couple of weeks, Labour has set out policies that offer a clear and credible choice for the country. We look forward to showing how Labour will stand up for the people of Britain."
GETTY Paul Nuttall will be wanting to increase his party's share at the next election
Ukip's Paul Nuttall added: "We welcome the opportunity to take Ukip's positive message to the country. "However, we believe that the Prime Minister's decision to call this election is a cynical decision driven more by the weakness of Corbyn's Labour Party rather than the good of the country. "There is also the prospect of a slew of Tory held by-elections caused by the seeming systematic breach of electoral law at the last election, predominantly in places where Ukip were pressing the Conservatives hard. "We are in the midst of Brexit negotiations so this election will provide a perfect opportunity for the 52% to vote for Ukip, the only party wholeheartedly committed to a clean quick and efficient Brexit."
GETTY Tim Farron wants to make this election about Brexit