British Prime Minister Theresa May calls for early election on June 8 to strengthen Brexit hand
May replaced Cameron as Britain’s prime minister in July 2016, assuming responsibility for the monumental task of negotiating a complex divorce from the EU
British Prime Minister Theresa May called on Tuesday for an early general election on June 8 in a surprise announcement as Britain prepares for delicate negotiations on leaving the European Union.
“We need a general election and we need one now. We have at this moment a one-off chance to get this done ... before the detailed talks begin,” May said, despite previously denying that she would do so.
Speaking outside her Downing Street residence in London, May warned that “division in Westminster will risk our ability to make a success of Brexit”. She said parliament would be asked to vote on Wednesday to decide on whether or not to hold an election.
The dramatic announcement comes after months of tumult in British politics following the Brexit vote.
A round of opinion polls over the Easter weekend also showed her Conservative Party far ahead of the main opposition Labour Party.
The Conservatives polled at between 38 per cent and 46 per cent, with Labour at 23 per cent to 29 per cent, according to the polls by YouGov, ComRes and Opinium.