Prime Minister Theresa May calls for general election

Speaking at Downing Street this morning, the PM said she will put it to MPs to hold an election on June 8 to ensure “The strong leadership and stability” the country needs ahead of Brexit talks.

To secure an election, two thirds of MPs must support the motion for it to go ahead.

During the announcement, Mrs May accused other political parties of ‘game playing’ and described this as a “one-off chance” to hold a general election that she said was needed.

She said: “As we look to the future the Government has the right plan for negotiating our new relationship with Europe. We want a deep and special relationship between a strong and successful European Union and a United Kingdom which is free to chart its own way in the world.

“This is the right approach and it is in the national interest but the other political parties oppose it.

“There should be unity here in Westminster but instead there is division. The country is coming together but Westminster is not.”

Liberal Democrat leader and Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said Mrs May’s calling for a general election was a chance for voters to change the direction of the country.

He said: “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.

"Only the Liberal Democrats can prevent a Conservative majority.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn reacted to the announcement by saying he welcomed the decision.

He 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.

“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.”

More to follow...