Theresa May has called an early general election for June 8 in an announcement which has stunned Westminster.
The Prime Minister had repeatedly denied that she would call an election before the next scheduled poll in 2020.
But following a Cabinet meeting at Downing Street she said she would go to the country this year.
Explaining her change of heart on an early election, Mrs May said: “I have concluded the only way to guarantee certainty and security for years ahead is to hold this election.”
She concluded by saying it was “with reluctance” that she reached her decision but added: “It is with strong conviction that I believe it is necessary to secure a strong and stable leadership this country needs.”
Mrs May said she was acting now because of the opposition in Parliament to the Government’s plans for Brexit.
“Our opponents believe because the Government’s majority is so small that our resolve will weaken and that they can force us to change. They are wrong,” she said.
“They under-estimate our determination to get the job done and I am not prepared to let them endanger the security of millions of working people across the country, because what they are doing jeopardises the work we must do to prepare for Brexit at home and it weakens the Government’s negotiating position in Europe.”
heresa May’s announcement gives Labour 51 days to prepare for an election
So what happens next?
The Prime Minister had two options – call for a vote of no confidence in her own government, or bet on two thirds of MPs agreeing to go to the polls.
She’s taken the second option.
That means a vote will be tabled in the House of Commons tomorrow, and she’s challenged Jeremy Corbyn to back it.
After that, Parliament will presumably dissolve six weeks before June 8th – which would be next Thursday.
The Prime Minister will move a vote for an early general election tomorrow.
The Fixed Term Parliaments act means she will need a 2/3 majority of MPs to back her.
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