General Election date set for June 8 as Theresa May surprises everybody with U-turn on snap poll
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Theresa May today sensationally announced an early General Election on June 8th.
In a dramatic U-turn, the Prime Minister said she has "reluctantly" decided Britain should go to the polls in just 51 days' time.
"We need a General Election and we need one now," Mrs May said.
Her decision was immediately welcomed by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who said he is ready to take on the PM at the ballot box.
“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," Mr Corbyn said.
“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."
It comes less than a month after the PM's official spokesman categorically ruled out any suggestion of an early election, telling journalists: "It isn't going to happen."
(Photo: Dan Kitwood)
(Photo: Rex Features)
Mrs May has herself consistently ruled out going to the polls before 2020 - and now faces accusations of "dishonesty" from rival politicians.
Labour MP Jess Phillips said: "So much for putting party before country".
But in a shock statement on the steps of Downing Street this morning, Mrs May said now feels she needs a strong new majority in Parliament ahead of the looming Brexit negotiations.
"Division in Westminster will risk our ability to make a success of Brexit, and it will cause damaging uncertainty and instability to the country," she said.
The PM said she is going to the polls now as there is a window of opportunity before the Brexit negotiations begin in earnest this summer.
EU leaders will meet at the end of this month to agree their negotiating position, with the talks with Britain due to begin a few weeks later.
(Photo: DAILY MIRROR)
(Photo: DAILY MIRROR)
"We have at this moment a one-off chance to get this done, while the European Union agrees its negotiating position and before the detailed talks begin," Mrs May said.
However her decision follows a string of dismal polls for Labour which put the Tories way out in front.
Two surveys over the weekend put the Conservatives 21 points ahead of Jeremy Corbyn's party - suggesting Mrs May could be on course for a landslide victory.
The PM however suggested she reached her decision over the Easter parliamentary recess, following previous denials that she would call an early vote.
"I have only recently and reluctantly come to this conclusion," the PM said.
"Since I became Prime Minister I have said that there should be no election until 2020.
"But now I have concluded that the only way to guarantee certainty and stability for the years ahead is to hold this election and seek your support for the decisions I must take."
Her decision is complicated somewhat by the Fixed Term Parliament Act passed by the Coalition Government, which says the next election should not be held until May 2020.
(Photo: PA)
To overcome that law Mrs May will tomorrow move a motion in the House of Commons calling for an election on June 8th.
Under the terms of the Act she will need a two-thirds majority - meaning the support of Opposition MPs - for the election to go ahead.
But with the support of Labour that majority should be all but guaranteed.
And Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said he too welcomed the chance to take the fight to the Tories at the ballot box.
"This election is your chance to change the direction of our country," he said.
He immediately moved to position the Lib Dems as the party of choice for ardent 'Remain' voters still desperate to keep Britain inside the EU.
"If you want to avoid a disastrous hard Brexit. If you want to keep Britain in the single market. If you want a Britain that is open, tolerant and united, this is your chance," he said.
"Only the Liberal Democrats can prevent a Conservative majority."
(Photo: EPA)
Scotland First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said: “This announcement is one of the most extraordinary U-turns in recent political history, and it shows that Theresa May is once again putting the interests of her party ahead of those of the country.
“She is clearly betting that the Tories can win a bigger majority in England given the utter disarray in the Labour Party.
“It will once again give people the opportunity to reject the Tories’ narrow, divisive agenda, as well as reinforcing the democratic mandate which already exists for giving the people of Scotland a choice on their future.”
UKIP, which has no MPs, claimed it "welcomed the opportunity to take UKIP's positive message to the country".
Leader Paul Nuttall said: "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."
A spokesman for Welsh Labour leader and First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "We won last year's Assembly election based on our strong record of leadership and delivery.
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“We will enter the General Election campaign, whenever it comes, from a position of strength and with a distinctive and innovative offer for the people of Wales."