Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC Newsroom Live 20170418

The details of which are closely guarded but statements by the Prime Minister in Downing Street are usually reserved for significant announcements. Our assistant political editor, norman smith, is in Downing Street for us. Norman, the speculation is around an early election. What are you hearing . We have one unconfirmed source telling the bbc that theresa may looks set to announce the Snap General Election on june the may looks set to announce the Snap General Election onjune the 8th. That is roughly about six weeks away. Ignoring previous promises by number 10 that she would not go for an early summer election, she would stay the whole course through to 2020, repeatedly dismissing the idea. But we are now in a situation where some Opinion Polls giving the conservatives the lead of more than 20 over the labour party. There is a view that mrs may could have decided it is never going to be a better moment than now to go for a General Election. It would give her a huge mandate but were to win, the sort of majority many in the party believes she could win, it would give her a mandate to go into the brexit negotiations with a hugely strengthened hand. She will have held a Brexit Election and will go to brussels and say i have secured a mandate to secure this sort of deal on behalf of the british people. A hugely strengthened her handfuls of it would enable her to pursue her own domestic agenda, to pursue the sort of policies on grammar schools, speculation about whether she might wa nt to speculation about whether she might want to end the commitment to overseas aid staying at. 7 . She may wa nt to overseas aid staying at. 7 . She may want to jettison the camera and legacy. Is she had a Snap General Election when she could pursue that agenda and defeats with that narrow, narrow majority of around 16. We saw the effects of that in the House Of Commons when the chancellor was forced to backtrack in the face of a looming tory revolt over National Insurance changes. If mrs may where to get the sort of majority something she could get, that would free her from the something she could get, that would free herfrom the permanent something she could get, that would free her from the permanent danger of tory revolt. There are huge potential political advantages from going for a Snap Election. The disadvantages are that it would be breaking a repeated promise by Downing Street not to go for that snap early election. There is also a risk factor. You do not know what happens in General Elections. There are many tory mps in the main facing constituencies who might be worried about going to the polls against Liberal Democrat Candidate Campaigning strongly for a second referendum. We saw that with Zac Goldsmith in richmond. They might be more reluctant to have an early General Election. She would wave goodbye to the Boundary Review changes which would give her an additional 20 or so seats. There are reasons not to go. You sense, with the poll lead, in the wake of the copeland by election victory where she overturned the seat she may never, ever have one, she may take the view it is never going to get better than now. What are the logistics over calling an early election . There is the fixed Term Parliament at which means the next election is not scheduled till 2020. How will they get around that . Either you have to engineer a vote of No Confidence in the government or two thirds of mps have to vote for a general. That, i surmise, or two thirds of mps have to vote for a general. That, isurmise, is the route she will go down. Labour has said, on the record, they would be happy to vote for a General Election. They are up for it. Theresa may may choose to call their bluff or she is coming out now. Lets hear what she has to say. Lets hear what she has to saylj have just chaired a meeting of the cabinet where we have agreed the government should call a General Election to be held on the 8th of june. Iwant election to be held on the 8th of june. I want to explain the reasons for that decision. What will happen next, and the choice facing the british people, when you come to vote in this election. Last summer, after the country voted to leave the European Union, britain needs certainty, stability and strong leadership will stop since i became Prime Minister the government has delivered precisely that will stop despite predictions in the immediate financial and economic danger, since the referendum we have seen Consumer Confidence remain high. Economic growth that has exceeded all expectations. We have also delivered on the mandate that we were handed by the Referendum Result. Britain is leaving the European Union and there can be no turning back. As we look to the future, the government has the right plan for negotiating our new relationship with europe. We wa nt new relationship with europe. We want a new relationship with europe. We wanta deep new relationship with europe. We want a deep and special partnership between a strong and successful European Union and the United Kingdom that is free to chart its own way in the world. That means we will regain control of our own money, our own will regain control of our own money, our own laws, and our own borders. We will be free to strike trade deals with old friends and new partners all around the world. This is the right approach and it is in the National Interest. But the other Political Parties oppose it. At this moment of enormous national significance, there should be unity here In Westminster. But instead there is division. The country is coming together but westminster is not. In recent weeks, labour has threatened to vote against the final agreement we reach with the European Union. The Liberal Democrats have said they want to grind the business of government to a standstill. The Scottish National party said it will vote against the legislation up formally repealed britains should of the European Union. Unelected members of the House Of Lords have vowed to fight us every step of the way. Opponents believe, are resolvable weekend and they can force us to change course. They are wrong. They underestimate our determination to get the job done. I am not prepared to let them endanger the security of millions of working people across the country. What they are doing jeopardises the work we must do to prepare for Brexit At Home. And it weakens the governments Negotiating Position in europe. If we do not hold a General Election now, their political gameplaying will continue. And the negotiations with the European Union will reach their most difficult stage in the run up to the next scheduled election. Division In Westminster will risk our ability to make a success of brexit and it will cause damaging uncertainty and instability to the country. We need a General Election and we need one now. 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. I have only re ce ntly detailed talks begin. I have only recently and reluctantly come to this conclusion. Since i became Prime Minister, i have said there should be no election until 2020. 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. And so tomorrow i will move a motion in the House Of Commons, calling for a General Election to be held on the 8th ofjune. That motion, as set out by the fixed Term Parliament act, will require a two thirds majority by the House Of Commons. I have a simple challenge to the Opposition Parties. You have criticised the governments decision for brexit, challenged our objectives, threatened to block the legislation we put before parliament. This is your moment to show you mean it, show you are not opposing the government for the sake of it, to show that you do not treat politics as a game. Let us tomorrow vote for an election. Let us put forward our plans for brexit and our alternative plans for government and then let the people decide. And the decision facing the country will be all about leadership. It would be a choice between strong and stable leadership in the National Interest with me as your Prime Minister, or weakens, unstable, Coalition Government led by jeremy weakens, unstable, Coalition Government led byJeremy Corbyn, propped up by the Liberal Democrats, who want to reopen the divisions of the referendum and Nicola Sturgeon and the snp. A vote for the conservatives will make it harder for Opposition Politicians who want to stop me from getting the job done. Every vote for the conservatives will make me stronger when i negotiate for britain with the Prime Ministers, president s and chancellors of the European Union. Every vote for the conservatives will mean that we can stick to our plan for a stronger britain and take the right long term decisions for a secure future. It was with relu cta nce secure future. It was with reluctance that i decided the country needs this election. It is with strong conviction that i say it is necessary to secure the strong and stable leadership the country needs to see us through brexit and beyond. So, tomorrow, let the House Of Commons vote for an election. Let everybody put forward their proposals for brexit and their programmes for government and let us re move programmes for government and let us remove the risk of uncertainty and instability and continue to give the country the strong and stable leadership it demands. A dramatic announcement in Downing Street by the Prime Minister, calling a General Election for the 8th of june. Previously, she had said she would not call a Snap Election and referencing what she said about the prospects of a Snap Election in the past, chief said, it is only recently and past, chief said, it is only recently a Nd Relu Cta Ntly past, chief said, it is only recently and reluctantly that she has come to the conclusion that an early election is needed for the she said it was the only way to guarantee certainty and stability for the years ahead. She said her government is determined to see brexit through and she said opposition mps, in the way they have been talking about voting against the government, is damaging that and hampering the governments Negotiating Position in europe. That is why she will start the process tomorrow in the commons to override the fixed Term Parliament act in order to allow an election to go ahead on june eight. Order to allow an election to go ahead onjune eight. Lets go back to our assistant political editor, norman smith, in Downing Street. There it is. Another election, the second in two years. The sixweek Election Campaign. He would have guessed that . Who would have thought we would go into a Snap General Election . The argument of theresa may is basically brexit. She cannot secure the best deal for the british people because of what she says is the uncertainty, the divisions In Westminster, pinpointing the blame on labour who say they may have vote against a final deal and the snp said they may vote against the great repealed bill. In effect, she is saying they jeopardised temp repealed bill. In effect, she is saying theyjeopardised temp aand threaten the livelihoods of millions of people because of the outcome which she may be able to secure being weakened by the factual have a wea ker being weakened by the factual have a weaker negotiating hand. If she wins a General Election, mrs may said she will have the mandate to secure the sort of deal she wants. It seems she was almost trying to pictures have as on the side of the people against westminster, against those westminster, against those westminster parties, playing games, she said. She is presenting this as the Brexit Election and she is the brexit candidate, is, in effect, how theresa may is presenting theirs. She said she had come to this decision reluctantly. That is the only nod we had that she has done a u turn and scrapped her previous promises. She will not go for a Snap Election, she had said. Reluctantly she decided she could not go on because of the division and uncertainty at westminster. We now face a really ferocious battle over the next six weeks. Difficult for the next six weeks. Difficult for the other parties to work out how did a pitch it. Do they take her on over brexit and campaign against it . The Liberal Democrats certainly well. A difficult one for labour. Theresa may is revising the fear that David Cameron stoked up in the last General Election which is the idea of labour being propped up by the Scottish Nationalists. Theresa may again alluding to that idea saying, do you really want that sort of outcome . Tomorrow, of course, mrs may will go to parliament and in effect throw down the gauntlet to Jeremy Corbyn saying, again, you said you are ready for a General Election, vote for it. The real challenge for him will be, it is ha rd to challenge for him will be, it is hard to see how he cannot vote for a General Election without being accused of running away and deny the people a vote. Does that make it almost certain it will get through orare almost certain it will get through or are their speculations about whether this can go ahead . M or are their speculations about whether this can go ahead . It seems almost inconceivable that Jeremy Corbyn can say, we will not vote for it. We would like you to carry on anyway. What sort of message does that send your own people went Jeremy Corbyn has been so forthright in attacking theresa may . That seems to mea in attacking theresa may . That seems to me a non runner, quite apart from the political dynamics how would it look . Mrjohnson, are you glad there is an early election . Ie looking forward to an early election . Obviously, Cabinet Ministers have beenin obviously, Cabinet Ministers have been in there since 8 30am and they are now leaving. Are you looking forward to an election . I get the feeling there will be a futile task. They will probably be very obedient, not wanting to trump theresa may. To come back to your point, joanna, it is inconceivable that jeremy come back to your point, joanna, it is inconceivable thatJeremy Corbyn will not vote for it. It looks like he was running away, and he would be crucified in the media. Normally, we will be back with you but lets checkin will be back with you but lets check in on what the polling has indicated about what might happen with an early election. We can speak to professorjohn curtice, professor of politics at the university of strathclyde. And the polling has been indicating that if theresa may was to call an early election, it would favour. There is no doubt that the conservatives are in a strong position in the Opinion Polls. If you take the average done by all the companies recently, the conservatives are standing at 42 and labour at 27 . Clearly, that would be enough to give theresa may a substantial majority. However, two words of caution in order. The first, we have to in mind that it is quite difficult these days for either party to actually win a landslide in the House Of Commons because not only is Northern Ireland now out of the uk wide political picture, but also is scotland and i would be surprised if the snp does not hang onto most of the seats north of the border. Secondly, although the labour party are in a dire position in the Opinion Polls, a lot of the seats they have are safer. And the truth is that if the Opinion Polls narrowed during the course of this campaign, and we should bear in mind that theresa may is very much going for a Vote Conservative for my vision of brexit, which should make some conservative voters unhappy, but if the lead narrows we could discover that she is back with a smaller majority than perhaps she was hoping for this morning. Would this election effectively become another referendum on brexit . Certainly that is the way she seems to be pitching it. She is essentially saying that the reason we need to have this is because we need a government that has a clear majority and are committed to the version of brexit i want, which is a vision that says we will not be in the Single Market and we will probably not be in the Customs Union and we will end of freedom of movement. One of the reasons she is hoping that will be a successful pitch is that the labour party is at sixes and sevens on its sta nce party is at sixes and sevens on its stance on brexit. There are divisions inside the Conservative Party and we will see how they survive the General Election but the truth is that the opposition is probably even more divided on this subject and she is probably banking that as long as it remains the central issue, the labour party will not be capable of fighting and effective alternative position. Do we have to look at how different constituencies voted in the referendum in order to get a better prediction of the outcome . If you look at the by election in richmond that Zac Goldsmith lost, it came down to the fact that constituents there were in favour of remain. That is true but there are not many constituencies with a historic Liberal Democrat vote and a clear remain vote. That will be one of the considerations but certainly what lies behind theresa mays 42 is a coalition. Around two thirds of that vote is a leave vote and probably people who are happy with her vision of brexit. One third of it is a remain vote and the question is, how much of that is willing to say, well, look, iwas much of that is willing to say, well, look, i was not actually that keen on the European Union in the first place and i am happy to stick with the tories plan. Theresa may is hoping that a lot of those conservative remain voters were relu cta nt conservative remain voters were reluctant Voters Conservative remain voters were relu cta nt voters a nd conservative remain voters were reluctant voters and will be hoping to stick with her. It will be interesting to see how voters feel about going back to the polls so soon. And indeed it is certainly one of the things that will be thrown at the Prime Minister, the fact that she has said strongly during the course of the last nine months or so that she did not think they should bea that she did not think they should be a General Election. She did not wa nt to be a General Election. She did not want to hold one. And this, in a sense, can be regarded as herfirst major u turn of her premiership. But we should not exaggerate the extent to which voters had concerned about issues of process. In the end, perhaps, she will be able to get away. Certainly, we can anticipate in that debate that will take place in the commons tomorrow, that will be thrown at her pretty rigorously, i expect. Stay with us, john curtice, because we would like to be able to keep on talking to you as we continue to digest this Breaking News that the fry minister is going to be calling an election on the 8th ofjune. In order to get to that point, she needs a majority of two thirds of mps in the commons in orderfor the six term thirds of mps in the commons in order for the six Term Parliament act to be overwritten. That would have meant the next election being in 2020. Until now, theresa may had said she had no intention of calling an election prior to that but in the last five minutes in Downing Street, she has said that recently and Relu Cta Ntly She Has said that recently and reluctantly she has come to the conclusion that the only way to guarantee certainty and stability for the years ahead and for her to see through brexit is for her to call an election. We have had reaction from the leader of the Liberal Democrats, tim farron, on twitter. He said adverse reaction from one of the Political Parties. The first reaction. Our Political Correspondent, vicki young, is In Westminster with a Liberal Democrat. Westminster with a Liberal Democrat. Westminster likes nothing more than speculation but we now know that theresa may is wanting another General Election on june eight. Theresa may is wanting another General Election onjune eight. As you say, she has to get a vote through parliament first. Lets find out from Liberal Democrats and conservative mps about what they think. Alistair carmichael from the Liberal Democrats, will you vote for a General Election . Were up for the fight. If that is when it is going to be, this is a tremendous opportunity for the Liberal Democrats. We are now the only party in british politics is putting the positive case for britain at the heart of europe. This is an opportunity for people who are not happy with theresa mays hard brexit taking us out of the Single Market and away from the Customs Union to make their views known. The way to do that is by giving your vote to the Liberal Democrats. Theresa may has made this sound like it will be able to buy brexit. That is part of the reason why she hasjewish mind, because parties like yours wants to grind down Parliamentary Business and reverse the will of the british people. If you want to see britain remain in the Single Market, in the currency union, if you reject the idea of a hard brexit, just nine Liberal Democrat mps are able to make white hard for her, just imagine what we could do if we got back to the strength we had before 2015. How confident are you of making games . We had a very difficult time in 2015, that is well known. People see the difference that the Liberal Democrats have made within a Coalition Government. They can see what Majority Government has been like with the conservatives and it is not a pretty sight. It is not a good time to be poor or young or lacking opportunities in this country. You get no help from a majority conservative government. But as theresa may once, and this becomes an election about brexit, theresa may has said that she wants a hard brexit. The labour party has said they will not stand in the way of that. The snp cannot take any more than one seat from the conservatives. The only people who can makea conservatives. The only people who can make a difference, if you want to see britain remain engaged with the European Union, are the Liberal Democrats. Are you surprised by this decision, Iain Duncan Smith . Theresa may said she did not want an early election. Everyone will be surprised because the Prime Minister always keep things quiet until she announces it. I think she has come up announces it. I think she has come up with something very focused and clear. She has strong leadership. I think she is right that at the moment we have a government that was elected before the referendum, which means that right now we have a problem. Because in the lords there has been talk about delaying and blocking this, making it difficult to get through. She is right to clear the air, to come back and say, right, the british people want us to get on with this and negotiate properly in europe. That is the right thing to do from a position of strength. But there is a riskier, because just only half of the people who voted wanted to leave the eu. If she makes this about brexit, is there not a risk . It is not about brexit, it is about electing a government with a strong mandate to carry on the normal domestic business. The key thing about all of this, the reason for the General Election is that right now there is a disproportionate state in the House Of Lords which has a chance to vote on this. We have 100 members of the House Of Lords who are liberal peers but only nine members of the House Of Commons. I think resetting that balance and making it very clear that you have a mandate in the commons, theresa may and the government, for them to get on and run this, so that we have a strong and stable government over the next five years, able to do brexit but also Strong Enough to do good Domestic Legislation. But before that, the real reason is that labour are calling 20 points behind the tories and Jeremy Corbyns leadership is in trouble. Theresa may looked at that and realise she could make a lot of games. That is a secondary issue. The reality is that she feels strongly that she needs that mandate. The labour party has its own particular problems and i suspect there will be a number of labour mps who want to see this General Election for internal reasons. But the reality is that this is a bold, strong, serious decision made by somebody who has Com Plete Decision made by somebody who has complete confidence in their leadership. The public, as they have shown in the personal polls, generally feel like she is the right person. Her personal ratings are high . Ian says this is the reason but there is no such thing. We have heard an excuse. House of lords did not stand in the way of the government when it came to triggering article 50. She got what she wanted through that, albeit that even that limited provision had to be brought kicking and screaming from her as the result of a court case. It is opportunistic. She is doing something now that she said categorically she was not going to do. This is how she has operated since day one. She is trying to run this country not in National Interests but from the narrow Party Advantage of the conservatives. This is just the most recent example. It is just the most recent example. It is utterly opportunistic but i tell you, it is an opportunity for the Liberal Democrats and we will not pass it up. But for you, you may well make some gains but if shes heading for a landslide, what can you get out of it . The only way to stop a conservative landslide, and we have to be careful about predicting the future of politics, but the only way to stand in the way ofa but the only way to stand in the way of a conservative landslide is the Liberal Democrats taking back the seats that we lost to them in 2015. That is happening week in and week out in council by election is up and down the country. You will see that happen again, i believe, come General Election. But there will be conservatives on the surplus of them and who will not be chuffed by that announcement. They will feel that they might lose out to the Liberal Democrats but theresa may, you presume, well look at the weakness of labour. I think most importantly, she personally is wanting a mandate to be the Prime Minister elected by the british people. It is reasonable to want that. She feels it is important, with the most important negotiations to have been conducted in 50 years, to mandate to do that with strength. And the 30 area, they need our government that can get that legislation through. And the third area. If you had this together, it is a sensible decision. My instinct is that there will not bea my instinct is that there will not be a single conservative mp that says they are unhappy about this. Everyone of them wants to get this done so that we can come back here and say, hopefully, if we get elected because we take that for granted, if we come back elected, then we can get onto business and stop the nonsense of saying we do not have a mandate. The liberals have used this argument, you were not elected as Prime Minister, well, lets call their bluff and put this on the table and say, now here is a chance for all of you to go out and fight the election and let the british people decide who they want to leave them and where they want the leader to take them. If this was about theresa may having a mandate of her own, the time that this would have been injuly last year. At that time she said categorically she would not do it. What you see now is the temptation of the polling had become too much for her. She needs to be cautious. It seems to me there is a lot of complacency and a measure of arrogance in this announcement. They are taking the voters for granted already. The way you reject that is by giving your vote to the Liberal Democrats. I do not think she is taking them for granted. You do not ta ke taking them for granted. You do not take an electric granted by going back and asking them, can you decide he want to govern and how strong you on that government to be . That is what she is asking for. You want a General Election and theresa may has said we need to clear the air and get it clear mandate. Maybe the party that does not want the election are not in this interview. Lets get those battle buses ready. Thank you. We still have not heard from labour. As soon there is a reaction from Jeremy Corbyn, we will bring it to you. You can get in touch with me by twitter if you want touch with me by twitter if you want to let me know what you think. Carl gothard has said, it is brilliant, a really good call. A referendum last year and now we are heading for another General Election on the 8th ofjune. Another General Election on the 8th of june. Lets just another General Election on the 8th ofjune. Lets just remind another General Election on the 8th ofjune. Letsjust remind ourselves ofjune. Letsjust remind ourselves of the moment that theresa may make the dramatic announcement in Downing Street little while ago. |j the dramatic announcement in Downing Street little while ago. I have just chaired a meeting of the cabinet where we agreed the government should call a General Election, to be held on the 8th ofjune. I want to explain the reasons for that decision. What will happen next and the choice facing the british people when you come to vote in this election. Last summer, after the country voted to leave the European Union, britain needed certainty, stability and strong leadership. Since i became Prime Minister, the government has delivered precisely that will stop despite predictions of immediate, financial and economic danger, since the referendum we have seen Consumer Confidence remain high, record numbers ofjobs and Economic Growth that has exceeded all expectations. We have also delivered on the mandate we were handed by the Referendum Result will stop britain is leaving the European Union and that can be no turning back. 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 partnership between a strong and successful European Union and the United Kingdom that is free to chart its own way in the world. That means we will regain control of our own money, our own laws and our own borders and we will be free to strike trade deals with old friends and new partners all around the world. This is the right approach and it is in the National Interest. But the other Political Parties oppose it. At this moment of enormous, national significance, there should be unity here In Westminster. Instead, there is division. The country is coming together but westminster is not. In re ce nt together but westminster is not. In recent weeks, labour has threatened to vote against the final agreement we reach with the European Union. The Liberal Democrats have said they wa nt the Liberal Democrats have said they want to grind the business of government to a standstill. The Scottish National party says it will vote against the legislation up formally repealed britains membership of the European Union and unelected members of the House Of Lords have vowed to fight us every step of the way. Our opponents believe, because the government majority is so small, our resolve will weaken and they can force us to change course. They are wrong. They underestimate our determination to get the job done. I am not prepared to let them endanger the security of millions of working people across the country. What they are doing jeopardised as the work we must do to prepare for Brexit At Home and it weakens the governments Negotiating Position in europe. If we do not hold a General Election now, their political gameplaying will continue and the negotiations with the European Union will reach their most difficult stage in the run up to the next scheduled election. Division In Westminster will risk our ability to make a success of brexit and it will cause damaging uncertainty and instability to the country. So, we need a General Election and we need one now. 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. Theresa may with her announcement that she will be calling a General Election for the 8th ofjune. That announcement com pletely the 8th ofjune. That announcement completely unexpected and just in the last half hour. Lets go straight to norman smith in Downing Street. Unexpected because she has been questionably diddly about whether she might call a General Election and she has said no before. Repeatedly. She has been very clear about the fact she would serve a full term and would not cut and run full she will face accusations of voting Party Interests before country and an opportunistic scuttle to the electorate when the polls in her favour. She has to the electorate when the polls in herfavour. She has decided to the electorate when the polls in her favour. She has decided that is a price worth paying, given that she has a 20 point lead in some of the Opinion Polls at the weekend. Lets just remember what she has said. On the andrew marr programme, chi was asked about a snap early election. The andrew marr programme, chi was asked about a snap early electionlj think asked about a snap early election. think what is important, having had the referendum vote, we need a period of stability. There is a challenge ahead in making sure we have made a successor coming out of the European Union. We must focus on that and the other agenda i have for the country as we go forward. We will be continuing the manifesto on which the conservative government was elected in 2015. I do not think there is a need for an election. I think the next election will be in 2020. This is very important. Under current law, the next election will in 2020. Is that absolutely certain that we will not see an election before 2020 . I will not be calling a Snap Election. We need that period of time, that stability, to do with theissues of time, that stability, to do with the issues the country is facing and have that election in 2020. the issues the country is facing and have that election in 2020. I am sure it is the sort of clip the Opposition Parties will be playing and referring to over and again. Theresa may breaking her word. Relu cta ntly theresa may breaking her word. Reluctantly she said it was in the National Interests to go for an early General Election. What do you think was the crucial factor that made mrs may change her mind . M think was the crucial factor that made mrs may change her mind . In the words of one of my sources, we have had 100 lies for weeks and weeks that there would be no early election. And yet, the logic of holding a poll now was pretty big. Theresa may is about to embark on the negotiations on brexit. There is just this window, while europe gets its Negotiating Strategy together and the french hold their elections ahead of the german poll in the autumn, theresa may could hold a cost free election before the heavy lifting begins without damaging the british interests, she will hope, and take advantage of this extraordinary polling. We have had problems with polls in the past and no one can deny that. What you getting is incredibly large polling leads. We heard one from yougov over the weekend, a 21 point lead in that poll. Another similar sized poll from a Rival Company at the weekend. When the leaves are that big, it points to detention for a big shift. In england, labourmps points to detention for a big shift. In england, labour mps will today be facing the possibility of them losing theirjobs in six weeks time, lots of them. One senior figure in the labour party was suggesting we could go down to 180, 170, labour mps unless something accurate happens based on Current Trends and what they observe on the doorstep. That is a big and decisive change. That does not mean this is a risk free option by theresa may. This is a gamble. She has lied and we will have days of her being accused of lying. That will make the passage of the necessary legislation through parliament authorising a General Election more difficult. Some tories are nervous. In the south west, some havejust got some tories are nervous. In the south west, some have just got their seats for the first time in 2015 and now face a potentially resurgent Liberal Democrats eating away at their majorities. You have people on their majorities. You have people on the tory right who did not really Wa Nt The Tory Right who did not really wantan the tory right who did not really want an early General Election as they could see that theresa may only has a majority of 18 and needs the unionists onside. They can see they have quite a lot of leveraged over theresa may. If her majority goes up to 50, 60, theyre Negotiating Power for a clean break from to 50, 60, theyre Negotiating Power for a clean breakfrom europe, perhaps a Free Trade Deal for europe, becomes diminished. There are opponents in her own party who will be loyal in public today. Theyll be interested to see what sta nce theyll be interested to see what stance Opposition Parties take on it. There just was a sweet spot that she could use. Thank you very much. The polls have been wrong before but they seem to have given mrs may a consistent lead for so long it would be extraordinary if they are wrong again. Who knows . Elections, referendums, they are repeatedly a surprise. None of us should take anything for granted. The Liberal Democrats have already said they welcomed the news that there will be a General Election in june. Welcomed the news that there will be a General Election injune. Lets go to our chief Political Correspondent who has reaction from Jeremy Corbyn. Ina similarvein, who has reaction from Jeremy Corbyn. In a similar vein, he has said he welcomes the decision by the Prime Minister to give the british people are chance to put the interests of the majority first. He says labour will be offering the country and effective alternative to a government that has fell to rebuild the economy, delivered falling Living Standards, damaged schools and the nhs. He says labour has set up and the nhs. He says labour has set up policies offering a clear and credible choice to the country and he says he looks forward to showing how labour will stand up for the people of britain. They will be voting with theresa may tomorrow. That is the vote that will get heard that election onjune eight, as she once. I spoke to senior labour figures a few weeks ago about speculation on an election and they said, yes, they are ready for that fight. They believe ifJeremy Corbyn gets the publicity, they think he can win people over. As you say, the polls have not suggested that. Youll be a huge test for him. Someone who has been a backbench mp for most of his long career. This will be on a completely different scale to anything he has done before. The glare of the media on him relentlessly for several weeks. Supporters say he will win people over. The more people see him, the more they will like him. He has a huge task. If you look at the last General Election, under ed miliband, that was a terrible result for labour. They will have to try to claw their way back from that. A big task forJeremy Corbyn. Thank you very much. Just hearing from paul nuttall from ukip on twitter. Every vote will be reminded to the Prime Minister that the british people wa nt minister that the british people want a minister that the british People Wa Nt A Clea N minister that the british people want a clean brexit with restored borders. We are also hearing from kezia dugdale. This country faces a significant and historic choice as we approach the uk leaving the eu will stop at the last election in 2015, we said it will be a clear choice between a destructive tory party and a Better Future with labour. At this election the choice will be clear. The Tory Party Intent on hard and damaging brexit or a labour party that will oppose a second Independence Referendum and fight for a Better Future for everyone. Lets go to our scotland correspondent. Is there any word yet from Nicola Sturgeon . Nicola sturgeon watched the Prime Ministers statement at her official residence in edinburgh but she has not formally responded to it. The snp has had their best ever General Election result in 2015. They won 56 of the 59 available seats in scotland. In those circumstances, i am not sure they would relish the possibility, the potential, for an early election and certainly their political opponents think they could make gains in these circumstances. The snp do want a vote of a different kind in the next 18 months to two years, another referendum on scottish independence. They have requested formally from the uk government the power to hold that. The Prime Ministers response has been now is not the time. I think there will be some focus on that phrase from the snp in their responses. The party a pity leader has said, whatever happened to now is not the time. If now is not the time foran is not the time. If now is not the time for an Independence Referendum, the snp will question why now is the time for a General Election. Already mr robertson framing the contest in scotla nd mr robertson framing the contest in scotland as a straight choice between the snp and the conservatives. On the Opinion Polls, the snp remains the first place party in scotland with the conservatives in second and labour in third. The conservative leader, ruth davidson, has yet to formally respond. She will relish the opportunity, the chance of an early General Election in scotland. You mentioned the scottish labour leader, kezia dugdale, he says the party is ready and has been preparing for a General Election. She says that labour in scotland. The process of selecting candidates this afternoon. In terms of a countdown, peter murrell, the chief executive of the snp the husband of the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, has tweeted saying the polls open in 50 days and hours. Thank you very much. Were right backin thank you very much. Were right back in it, to make years after the last General Election, headed for another one. So what do you think . If you want to get in touch on twitter, bbcjoannag. Anders says, it makes sense to me. The lib dem search is less, and labour are weakened. Another viewer says, the conservatives want to rid parliament of opposition. Anna says, completely unnecessary, we voted to make years ago and theresa may was part of that. Sick of voting and a waste of time and money. Aidan fletcher says, we can possibly predict the outcome of the election. The pm has the upper hand but it is a risky call. Lets bring in professorjohn curtis, professor of politics at the university of strathclyde. How risky is this because the tories are well ahead in the polls. In a sense, the risk for the bright minister is that because the party starts so far ahead in the polls, the truth is that unless the conservatives emerge with at least a majority of 100 in the House Of Commons, the election will be regarded as something of a failure. And to that extent, the Prime Minister is going into this election with very High Expectations of success. Maybe she will succeed, but just to of success. Maybe she will succeed, butjust to repeat of success. Maybe she will succeed, but just to repeat the warning of success. Maybe she will succeed, butjust to repeat the warning we made earlier, if the lead goes down to some degree, so that maybe it is around eight, nine, ten points, well actually, given that a 7 point lead to make years ago only got the tories a majority of 12 or so, then actually the tory majority in the new House Of Commons may not be that big. Insofar as theresa may has been trying to bolster her authority, in particular are trying to ensure that her backbenchers Cannot Make Life Difficult for the Opposition Parties, she now needs to win big, and ina parties, she now needs to win big, and in a sense the only question about the General Election is do they win big or do the polls narrowed during the course of the next 50 days or so . So yes, she is taking afairgamble next 50 days or so . So yes, she is taking a fair gamble because she is wanting to win big. She is notjust wanting to win big. She is notjust wanting to win big. She is notjust wanting to win. And suddenly it throws out the possibility to voters of potentially overturning brexit. Without a General Election, the have no chance of that happening. That is certainly true. The only party that will be campaigning, as far as we know, exquisitely for a second referendum, are the Liberal Democrats. I guess it is not surprising that tim farron was pretty sharp off the mark in welcoming this announcement because he probably reckons that given theresa may is making brexit, her vision of brexit, the central issue of this issue, and the lib dems are united in being opposed to that vision, and most of them want a second referendum, he is hoping that maybe he will succeed in appealing to at least a quarter of the electorate who sometimes are labour voters and would like to see the Brexit Decision provoked. Given the only has nine mps to start with, any movement in that will be welcomed. The crucial question is the extent to whichJeremy Corbyn is able to unite his party on brexit and more generally on the issue of his leadership. The most important thing has happened in the last half an hour, Jeremy Corbyns announcement that he welcomes the announcement and labourare meant that he welcomes the announcement and labour are meant to be voting in favour of the motion when it comes to the House Of Commons tomorrow. The question we will now be asking is does he succeed in taking all labour mps with him or does this general Election Campaign start with yet another division inside the labour party . Because one suspect there are some labour mps who are perhaps unhappy about the prospect of fighting a General Election under Jeremy Corbyns leadership and so therefore they will vote against it. Ican therefore they will vote against it. I can tell you that there is one who has come out and said that he will be voting against the Snap General Election and that is the chest and mp, chris matheson. His majority is just 93, the most marginal labour seatin just 93, the most marginal labour seat in the country. He says he will vote against the Snap General Election but as john curtice indicates, whichJeremy Corbyn saying the labour Party Welcomes the announcement by the Prime Minister that she will be holding a General Election in june, it that she will be holding a General Election injune, it will almost certainly go ahead. In order for it to go ahead, the Prime Minister needs to get it through the commons with a two thirds majority of mps because David Cameron introduced a fixed Term Parliament act which meant that parliament would last for a fixed term of five years, which would mean that the next election was not until 2020. But instead, that can now be overridden by a Majority Vote in the commons. And it looks like that will be happening. So we are on course forjunior. More reaction from fraser nelson, the editor of the spectator. Were you surprised . Yes, absolutely. For a long time people have said that perhaps theresa may would have an early General Election, but we thought she wouldnt for three reasons. One was a Boundary Review that would give the tories more seats. The other was that if you look at the labour party, they do not need to have one right now. But most of all, she said she wouldnt. Four or five most of all, she said she wouldnt. Four orfive times she most of all, she said she wouldnt. Four or five times she had pledged not to have if Snap Election. To break her words in spectacular fashion is not a good look. Also remember the great risk is that this Election Campaign could be a rerun of the Eu Referendum campaign. The Liberal Democrats will be delighted. This is the best news they have had for a long time. So the risk is that labour will get a lot more votes and the lib dems will get a lot more votes because people who want to have britain stay in the eu will see this as a chance to stop it. And then the two tribes we saw Dividing Britain Last Year will form again and make life more difficult for the tories than if theresa may had waited until 2020. Tories than if theresa may had waited until2020. Theresa tories than if theresa may had waited until 2020. Theresa may was throwing down the gauntlet toJeremy Corbyn saying that he had said he would vote against any deal on brexit, if the terms were not com pletely brexit, if the terms were not completely matching what the uk currently has inside the eu. It will be, rbc, and we have heard that Jeremy Corbyn is welcoming the election but it is interesting to see how they play it. It is very difficult forJeremy Corbyn, who has an ambivalent decision on brexit. He was fundamentally a remainer. If he was, he would get a lot more votes than he is getting now. A lot of the voters he needs to get back voted for brexit. Yes, theresa may is right that labour is in a difficult position. Although the pretext of this was that he would thwart brexit, that does not really hold up. She managed to get the brexit legislation through the commons pretty easily. There is not a practical reason for the selection rather than the Party Political advantage of the Conservative Party. Voters will sense that. This is the other risk theresa may is taking. Shes been telling scotland that you could not have another referendum because we had a vote a few years ago. Well, you she is putting through a General Election vote against on word and in a way that is not really necessary. That is really the strange thing. Why do she have to have an right now. The reason she gave this morning was not particularly convincing. On that, she says that she has only recently and she says that she has only recently a Nd Relu Cta Ntly she says that she has only recently and reluctantly come to the conclusion. She says it is the only way to guarantee certainty and stability in the years ahead. She said that the opposition was weakening britains and in the negotiations by the stands. Weakening britains and in the negotiations by the standsm weakening britains and in the negotiations by the stands. It does not stand up to scrutiny at all. If she had had the article 50 wrote to trigger brexit thwarted in the House Of Commons or the House Of Lords, then she would have been able to say, ok, lets have a General Election so i can make sure the will of the people is enacted, but as it stands she won victory after victory on that relatively easily. I dont think that she or anybody else could really points to this great big obstacle really points to this great Big O Bsta Cle in really points to this great big obstacle in the House Of Commons thatis obstacle in the House Of Commons that is stopping brexit. Those battles have been fought and she was winning them. This election is to make sure the tories get a majority of about 100 when the labour party looks to be at its weakest point. Thank you very much, fraser nelson. We have a tweet from scotlands First Minister. The tories see a chance to move the uk to the right, forced through a hard brexit and impose deeper cuts. Let stand up for scotland. Ge17. That is a hashtag were going to be getting used to because we have six weeks until the next General Election into my dears i next General Election into my dears , two years since the last one. Downing street this morning confirming the news. Just have an hour before the statement, there was absolutely no indication for the statement could be. We knew it would be dramatic and in the event, it was. We will be having a General Election on the 8th ofjune. Lets bring in ben thomson with reaction from the markets. What are they doing . That they do the numbers because it is interesting. If we look at that regulation before the announcement, there was a big sell off in the pound and that has now bounced back. That is off the table. The ftse100 is currently down by 1. 5 . It is a two month low. We should not expect much reaction, apart from this region are knee jerk reaction, until the vote on june. Unless, and it is a big caveat, unless the polls suggest that there is weakening support for the conservatives. This is interesting though because there is lot more uncertainty. There is a vote in france and now in the uk and the markets do not like uncertainty. That is what we have got in bucket loads now. As you would expect, were getting reaction from big city institutions, and some of that is coming into me now. One suggesting this is just the coming into me now. One suggesting this isjust the Prime Minister wanting full control of the brexit process. They say this allows her to do that without interference. Another one saying that this would hand her a strong mandate to stand up hand her a strong mandate to stand up to hardline anti backbenchers. They say that would be welcomed by the financial markets. So clearly at this point some uncertainty as to what investors think happens next. Some suggesting that if we see that support continue for the Conservative Party, there will not bea Conservative Party, there will not be a huge change to the markets. Maybe the Prime Minister will have a bit more power than going into the process as far as brexit is concerned. When she made the announcement, she outlined the current economic position of the uk and talked about the strong fundamentals, much stronger fundamentals, much stronger fundamentals that had been predicted in the run up to the referendum, in the event of a vote for brexit. Of course brexit had not actually happened. Yes, and we should remember that the divorce the seedings are underway, but we have not left. Therefore there are all sorts of forecasts about what could happen to the uk economy if we left. Wild claims on both sides. I think it is fairto wild claims on both sides. I think it is fair to say that a lot of those are not come true. Some of the most pessimistic predictions about what would happen to the economy, we have approached these Negotiations Ina have approached these negotiations in a pretty robust financial health. That will change the way that we approach the negotiations about the relationship that we may have with the uk after we leave the European Union. As we heard they are from the city, a Statement Saying that we should give the Prime Minster a stronger mandate, so that maybe she can fend off some of the criticism. This gives her a stronger position from which to negotiate. I think we would expect the Market Reaction around the june would expect the Market Reaction around thejune vote, or if, or if or if the support for the tories drops. Lets go back to normal smith for more reaction. A huge moment and it was all a surprise. Particularly since theresa may had repeatedly suggested that you would not cut and run. She said today that reluctantly and recently she had changed her mind thatan and recently she had changed her mind that an early election was not in the National Interest to provide certainty and stability in the run up to the brexit referendum. Her claim that the Opposition Parties we re claim that the Opposition Parties were providing disunity and endangering the prospects of millions of people ahead of brexit. I have just chaired a meeting millions of people ahead of brexit. I havejust chaired a meeting of millions of people ahead of brexit. I have just chaired a meeting of the cabinet or we agreed that the government should call a General Election to be held on the 8th of june. The Shock Announcement was madejust an hour ago. Britain will go to the polls in seven weeks. It comes just after the firing gun was triggered for brexit. At this moment of enormous national significance, there should be unity here In Westminster. But instead there is division. The country is coming together but westminster is not. The labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, welcomed the move, saying it give the british people the chance to vote for a government that will put the interests of the majority first. Nicola sturgeon said she would stand up Nicola Sturgeon said she would stand upfor Nicola Sturgeon said she would stand up for scotland and the conservatives were planning to force through a hard brexit. Good afternoon. Welcome to bbc news. The Prime Minister theresa may has announced that she is calling for a Snap General Election on the 8th ofjune. Mrs may had previously said there would be no election until 2020 but said she had reluctantly come to the conclusion that it was the only way to guarantee certainty and stability to see the country through brexit negotiations. Explaining the decision, mrs may said the country is coming together but westminster is not. However, under the fixed Term Parliaments act, the Prime Minister must ask the House Of Commons to vote for an early election and that will h appen tomorrow. The labour party has confirmed that Jeremy Corbyn will vote for that decision. Lets talk to our assistant political editor, norman smith, whos at Downing Street. It is there to say she caught eve ryo ne it is there to say she caught everyone unawa res. It is there to say she caught everyone unawares. She did. We are heading for the Brexit Election. That is how to reason me is pitching it was she decided to drop her previous pledge not to cut and run because she said there is a need to provide certainty and stability ahead of brexit and strengthen her hand in these negotiations and counter what she sees as an attempt by Opposition Parties to thwart brexit, a0 not just by Opposition Parties to thwart brexit, a0 notjust labour, the Liberal Democrats and snp, but also the House Of Lords. She knows Opinion Polls give her a colossal lead of more than 20 points over labour and she may well calculate it is never going to get any better for her. Lets have a listen to her statement. I have just chaired a meeting of the cabinet where we have agreed the government should call a General Election to be held on the 8th ofjune. I want to explain the reasons for that decision. What will happen next, and the choice facing the british people, when you come to vote in this election. Last summer, after the country voted to leave the European Union, britain needed certainty, stability and strong leadership since i became Prime Minister the government has delivered precisely that. Despite predictions in the immediate financial and economic danger, since the referendum we have seen Consumer Confidence remain high. Economic growth that has exceeded all expectations. We have also delivered on the mandate that we were handed by the Referendum Result. Britain is leaving the European Union and there can be no turning back. As 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 partnership between a strong and successful European Union and a United Kingdom that is free to chart its own way in the world. That means we will regain control of our own money, our own laws, and our own borders. We will be free to strike trade deals with old friends and new partners all around the world. This is the right approach and it is in the National Interest. But the other Political Parties oppose it. At this moment of enormous national significance, there should be unity here In Westminster. But instead there is division. The country is coming together but westminster is not. In recent weeks, labour has threatened to vote against the final agreement we reach with the European Union. The Liberal Democrats have said they want to grind the business of government to a standstill. The Scottish National party said it will vote that formally repealed britains should of the European Union. Unelected members of the House Of Lords have vowed to fight us every step of the way. Opponents believe our resolve will weaken and they can force us to change course. They are wrong. They underestimate our determination to get the job done. I am not prepared to let them endanger the security of millions of working people across the country. What they are doing jeopardises the work we must do to prepare for Brexit At Home. And it weakens the governments Negotiating Position in europe. If we do not hold a General Election now, their political gameplaying will continue. And the negotiations with the European Union will reach their most difficult stage in the run up to the next scheduled election. Division In Westminster will risk our ability to make a success of brexit and it will cause damaging uncertainty and instability to the country. We need a General Election and we need one now. 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. I have only recently and reluctantly come to this conclusion. Since i became Prime Minister, i have said there should be no election until 2020. 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. And so tomorrow i will move a motion in the House Of Commons, calling for a General Election to be held on the 8th ofjune. That motion, as set out by the fixed Term Parliaments act, will require a two thirds majority by the House Of Commons. I have a simple challenge to the Opposition Parties. You have criticised the governments decision for brexit, challenged our objectives, threatened to block the legislation we put before parliament. This is your moment to show you mean it, show you are not opposing the government for the sake of it, to show that you do not treat politics as a game. Let us tomorrow vote for an election. Let us put forward our plans for brexit and our alternative plans for government and then let the people decide. And the decision facing the country will be all about leadership. It would be a choice between strong and stable leadership in the National Interest with me as your Prime Minister, or weak and unstable, Coalition Government led byJeremy Corbyn, propped up by the Liberal Democrats, who want to reopen the divisions of the referendum and Nicola Sturgeon and the snp. Every vote for the conservatives will make it harder for Opposition Politicians who want to stop me from getting the job done. Every vote for the conservatives will make me stronger when i negotiate for britain with the Prime Ministers, president s and chancellors of the European Union. Every vote for the conservatives will mean that we can stick to our plan for a stronger britain and take the right long term decisions for a secure future. It was with reluctance that i decided the country needs this election. It is with strong conviction that i say it is necessary to secure the strong and stable leadership the country needs to see us through brexit and beyond. So, tomorrow, let the House Of Commons vote for an election. Let everybody put forward their proposals for brexit and their programmes for government and let us remove the risk of uncertainty and instability and continue to give the country the strong and stable leadership it demands. So, theresa may setting out her reasons for reluctantly changing her mind about going for the Snap General Election, putting brexit at the ball front of her thinking. She will also hope that if the polls are right she may be returned with a significantly larger majority, which would hugely strengthen her position in the House Of Commons where, at the moment, mrs may is permanently barbara ball two revolts. We saw that, Philip Hammond forced into a humiliating u turn over National Insurance contributions. Mrs may will hope if she can increase her majority she will be bombproof from those sorts of revolts in the future. But, elections are entirely unpredictable. We saw that in the last referendum. You could argue we saw that with donald trump. You would hesitate to predict anything on the basis of Opinion Polls. Given the consistency of the polls, given the consistency of the polls, given the fact that mrs may one that by election victory in copeland when she sees what should have been a safe labour seat, the Prime Minister may well have concluded it will not get any better. Now is as good as it will get. We have heard from Jeremy Corbyn, welcoming the fact there would be an election. As for labour, what will their stance be . would be an election. As for labour, what will their stance be . I think it isa what will their stance be . I think it is a tough election for the labour party to fight. They will back the election and vote for the election tomorrow went to aid puts it to the House Of Commons. It would be impossible commended it anything else. How would they fight it . To reset me wants to fight it as the Brexit Election and wants to set herself as the brexit candidate. She said the country was coming together behind brexit but it was disunity at westminster, the opposition of labour, the snp and members of the House Of Lords who were endangering the livelihoods of millions of people. She is almost positioning herself as the anti westminster candidate, the popular, brexit candidate. That is how she wants to fight the election. The real challenge for labour is, can they break out of that and pitch it more as an anti sta re break out of that and pitch it more as an anti stare at each election . Can they get some of their broader m essa 9 es over can they get some of their broader messages over or are they pinned down as reluctant brexiteers . That is the difficulty for them. Thats just read through this statement from Jeremy Corbyn pulled he has welcomed the announcement of a General Election and said i welcome the decision by the Prime Minister to give the british people the chance to vote for a government which will put the interests of the majority first. Labour will be offering the country and effective alternative to a government that has failed to rebuild the economy, delivered failing Living Standards and delivered cuts to our schools and delivered cuts to our schools and the nhs. We are hoping to interview a member of the Shadow Cabinet but we have not managed to get anybody yet. Were aiming for that. We have heard members of the Liberal Democrats and the tory party on the programme. Still no word on the front bench from the labour ranks. Lets go to our chief Political Correspondent who is In Westminster. A big surprise for the hows it going down . A complete surprise. A complete shock. Theresa may coming out today saying she felt forced into it full sub she said Opposition Parties and mps would Start Messing around over brexit and she wants to get her own personal mandate. Thats beak to crispin blunt, who is with me now. A bit of a surprise. A huge surprise. A tactical and strategic surprise. I admire the way she has kept confidentiality around this. Everyone is astonished at the decision. No one saw it coming. There is a perfectly sound case for it which she made this morning. In terms of delivering brexit, to reorientate ourselves, the country took that decision last year. It makes a took that decision last year. It makesa certain took that decision last year. It makes a certain amount of sense to makes a certain amount of sense to make sure she has got a mandate from the electorate to get it done. Plainly there is an opportunity to so do. You must hope the electorate delivers that in the next few weeks. For those who voted to remain, is a chance for them to try to change the outcome, the direction of the country, as the Liberal Democrats are saying . That will be the pitch from the lib dems. Their leader is not particularly convincing. It does not particularly convincing. It does not look that the leader is remotely like a Prime Minister and that will be difficult. The country recognises the decision has been taken and what we need to do is get on and deliver it. People are quite admiring of the Prime Minister of how she has conducted the government over the past nine months for the people who are not obsessed with politics will think she needs authority to get this done. People who are hugely committed to the european ideal and really getting your appear in a way that others do not, they will be attracted by that. That was a tiny minority in the Conservative Party that felt like that. A pretty small minority in the country. The 48 mostly thought, i do not know that it is probably the best decision overall for the country. 52 of people, many believed in britain taking back its sovereignty. They took that decision. She is in a strong place. She has been accused of political opportunism. She can see where she is in the polls and has decided to put the interests of her and her party about the country. The biggest change in our countrys positioning for 40 years. In those Terms Cashiers serving the National Interest by securing her position as Prime Minister. She is serving. Do you think she wanted a personal mandate . Nicola sturgeon has made the point that David Cameron one member General Election in 2015. Do you think she wanted to get people to vote for her . I do not think that would have been behind her decision. If you like, it is a fringe benefit. Issue does get the victory she hopes she will on the 8th ofjune, it would be her victory. For her making the decision, it is about the National Interest and plainly the National Interest and plainly the National Interests and the interests of the Conservative Party overlap if you are conservative Prime Minister. Of course they do for the people will see this in terms of a National Interest. Having a government behind her with sufficient authority in parliament to get the difficult process of brexit delivered. Much indeed. I think the calculation has been that the brexit stations do not get underway in earnest until the autumn, so this was her last opportunity for that General Election. Thank you, vicki young. We have other statement through from donald tusk, the president of the european council, on the bretton negotiations. Saying that the Negotiating Guidelines will not be affected by the british governments call for an early General Election unduly eighth. Lets get some reaction. I should say that we are expecting to hear in the next couple of minutes from Jeremy Corbyn, we are respecting an interview to come in with him. We will bring you that as soon as it comes through. Lets go to john rentoul, Chief Political Commentator at the independent hes in our westminster studio. What was your reaction to make it is very difficult to see why the Prime Minister, faced with the opportunity of increasing her majority to 100 seats, how she could have resisted the pressure to hold an election. thought she was going to but she took everyone by surprise. It was slightly awkward because she had to blame the Opposition Parties for causing disunity In Westminster as the reason why she had only Relu Cta Ntly the reason why she had only reluctantly changed her mind recently. But it is worth that temporary awkwardness, i think, for the prospect of gaining a huge personal mandate for herself in Domestic Politics and also in her negotiations with europe. Donald tusk, as you havejust negotiations with europe. Donald tusk, as you have just heard, negotiations with europe. Donald tusk, as you havejust heard, says it does not make any difference but actually it does if theresa may does wina large actually it does if theresa may does win a large majority in the General Election. She will then have more authority in negotiations with our european partners. But it is not certain. It is always unpredictable. The polls are saying what they are saying at this stage but it is uncharted territory. Personally, i think the Opinion Polls flatter the labour party at the moment. Theresa may is taking that view, too. The last time labour went as low as 23 ina last time labour went as low as 23 in a National Opinion poll wasjust before the 1983 General Election when Margaret Thatcher won 1aa seats as her majority. I think labour are ina as her majority. I think labour are in a better position weaker position today than them because the majority of labour mps can hardly, with their hands on their heart, go to their constituents and say. Im so sorry, im going to interrupt you because we are expecting to hear from Jeremy Corbyn right now. Lets ta ke from Jeremy Corbyn right now. Lets take a look. What is your reaction to the news that there is going to bea to the news that there is going to be a General Election . to the news that there is going to be a General Election . I welcome the opportunity for us and the people of britain to stand up against this government and its failed economic agenda which has left our schools are underfunded, which has led to many people uncertain. We want to put a case to the people of britain for a society that cures for all, an economy that works for all and brexit that works for all. Labour has been consistently behind in the Opinion Polls, so they are not in a particularly strong starting position. Do you concede that you face an uphill struggle . We are going out there to put the case for how this country could be run, how it could be different, how we could have a much Fairer Society that works for all. For everybody in our community. That is the case that were putting and i im looking forward to doing it. What will you be doing to turn around the polls over the coming weeks . We will be putting the case out there to deal with the housing crisis, to deal with the housing crisis, to deal with the housing crisis, to deal with the Education Funding crisis, to deal with the nhs and above all, about an economy that works for all, by investment in infrastructure and manufacturing industries, to get real hope and real opportunity for everybody in this country. Labour lost the General Election just two yea rs lost the General Election just two years ago. What is different in what youre offering to the country this time around . We are challenging the economic narrative which says there has to be huge cuts. We are saying instead, invest in economy, invest in the future. We are a party that will put forward a case that will bring about a much fairer, much more decent country then we are getting at the present time. Where we have massive inequalities between the very rich minority and sadly too many People Living in desperate poverty. Does the 8th ofjune give you time to get that message out of there . I am starting straightaway and looking forward to it. We will ta ke and looking forward to it. We will take our message to every part of the country and we will challenge the country and we will challenge the government to debate these issues in every town and city in this country. If labour loses the election, will you stand down . We are campaigning to win this election and that is the only question now. Will you be the next Prime Minister . If we win the election, yes. Im going to lead a government that will transform this country, and give a real hope to everybody. And above all, bring about a principle of justice for everybody and Economic Opportunity for everybody. Jeremy corbyns first reaction to the news that a General Election is now seven weeks away. Jeremy corbyn saying he welcomes the election. The main parties saying they welcome it. Surprised that it is going to be happening. There has been some Speck Elation in recent weeks. Labour have a Lwa Ys Elation in recent weeks. Labour have always said they are on an election footing. As the main opposition party, it would be hard tojustify keeping the conservatives in power. He is going to tell his mps to vote for a General Election unduly eighth. Lets see how labour mps are reacting to that. Stephen kinnock joined me. You have quite a safe seatin joined me. You have quite a safe seat in south wales but what about a lot of your colleagues . A lot of them could lose their seats. Well, i got elected two years ago and there are some fantastic colleagues. What they all do is stand up for their constituents. They are a strong voice for their constituents In Westminster and a strong local campaign. We are going to fight for every single vote and i think we are going to fight on that platform, standing up for our communities, standing up for our communities, standing up for our communities, standing up for our constituents. My constituency, with a steel crisis, we have managed a combination of trade unions and labour unions, who have fought a Rearguard Action On Steel and have managed to turn things around. That is how were going to fight this election. But labour mps knocking on doors have been saying thatJeremy Corbyn or not is not a vote winner for the party. He will be the figure on News Bulletins and on tv over the next six weeks. Is he a vote winner . Theresa may stood on the steps of Delhi Street Today and said she wa nted Delhi Street Today and said she wanted a united westminster. Delhi Street Today and said she wanted a united westminster. I found those words quite chilling. On the steps of Downing Street. That suggests she wants to turn our country into some kind of dictatorship where there is no opposition, with the government is not held to account and they steam roll through brexit. She is being run by a cabal of extremists who want to turn this country into a european version of the Kaymer Islands using brexit as the vehicle for doing that. If people want a stronger position, they want an Opposition Holding theresa may to account, they need to vote labour on the 8th of june. Account, they need to vote labour on the 8th ofjune. The caymans islands. I have spoken to some labour mps last week who said they would vote for a General Election, knowing that labour would do badly, but hoping they would getJeremy Corbyn out as leader. but hoping they would getJeremy Corbyn out as leader. I think one of the things we have learned about in global for latics is that Making Forecasts is a mugs game. We in global politics. We need to get the Doorknocking Schedule sorted out and show what the labour party can do as a local, campaigning force to really make a difference our constituencies, and here In Westminster. I think what theresa may has done today is talked good game about uniting the country, but actually at a time where more than anything we need stability, continuity and certainty for the british economy. She has thrown a hand grenade into all of that. I think people will look at that and say, do we really want a pro minister putting Party Interests ahead of the National Interest, or do we want a strong Opposition Campaigning for us In Westminster and holding the government to account, making sure that we do not have a brexit which turns our country into a paradise for tax dodgers, into a deregulators haven. Ina word, dodgers, into a deregulators haven. In a word, do your voters think that Jeremy Corbyn could be the next Prime Minister . We will find that out on the 8th ofjune. Im going to fight a out on the 8th ofjune. Im going to fighta campaign out on the 8th ofjune. Im going to fight a Campaign Based on my Record Asa Fight A Campaign Based on my record as a local fight a Campaign Based on my record asa localmp, fight a Campaign Based on my record as a local mp, shouting here for the interests of my people. Stephen kinnock, thank you very much indeed. I think that will be the approach from many labour mps who have not backed their leader over recent yea rs. Backed their leader over recent years. They will be very much fighting local and pains. Thank you, vicki young. We are Hearing Comments from the Prime Ministers spokesperson, saying that the Prime Minister spoke to the queen by telephone yesterday to tell her of her intention to call an early election. A Spokesperson Saying that she has the full backing of top team of ministers for the early election. There was a Cabinet Meeting earlier this morning and they were all briefed. And were hearing that she has the support of all of them. Let me tell you, but we do that we are getting from donald tusk. It was hitchcock who directed brexit. First an earthquake and the tension rises. Thats slightly surreal tweet from donald tusk. We heard from him, from his spokesperson a little while ago. Hearing about his negotiations. Saying that the negotiations are unchanged by this decision. Slightly surreal, i knew tweet from donald tusk. A tweet from donald tusk. Lets get some reaction from Northern Ireland. Our correspondent, chris page. Yes, well the Northern Ireland parties are now facing what will be their third election in a little over one year. Already this year we have had a Snap Election from the Stormont Assembly and then the last Stormont Election was just last year. Were now looking at yet another election coming in the midst of the worst political crisis that Northern Ireland has faced in the last ten years. The devolved government, the Power Sharing Partnership between the dup and sinn fein collapsed injanuary. Northern ireland has pulled out of government since then. The election was held in march and was a significant shift in the political landscape. The nationalist vote surged and unionist lost their overall majority in the Stormont Chamber for the first time. Sinn fein came within a whisker of toppling the dup has the largest party. What does that mean for the selection . I think it will mean that more than ever before, this election will be more about unionism versus nationalism, orange versus green. The key question will be, can sinn fein sustain their support or will the unionists regain ground . In the last westminster election, the two main Unionist Parties formed a pact in several constituencies to invite to avoid splitting the unionist vote. As a result, at least two seats went to unionists which otherwise would have gone to northern unionists. It is likely that unionists will go for another pa ct to that unionists will go for another pact to maximise Unionist Rippers Edition and minimise nationalist representation. We had had a brief reaction from the leader of the dup, arlene foster, saying that the General Election will be a chance for people in Northern Ireland to vote for the union. Jerry me Adams Gerry Adams has tweeted that sinn fein are up for another election. The broader question, what will happen to the negotiations to restore the government . Several deadlines have been missed and negotiations have paused. They are due to resume next week but the government has said that if there is no agreement by the Stormont Parties by early may, then we have to make options. One, the one that is kind of forlorn, for yet another Stormont Election, where westminster will ta ke election, where westminster will take over running Northern Ireland, and bring over direct rule. The calling of another election, it will be another divisive election and i do not think it will improve the chances of a deal at stormont, as the parties tend to retreat and take a more Hardline Position at election time. So the prospects for an agreement are probably not been helped. The bigger question, what will happen over the two weeks before the Election Campaign kicks in. Will we have it returned to direct rule . Will legislation be passed for that or will we have another Stormont Election calls and yet another opportunity for voters in Northern Ireland to hit the bulls . If you want it to let me know your thoughts, you can get in touch on twitter. Now for the latest developments following the announcement by theresa may this morning that she will be holding a General Election on the 8th ofjune. The political process will be getting under way in the House Of Commons tomorrow. There is a rule now that elections should take place every five years, fixed Term Parliaments act for five years. That will need to be overridden in order to allow the election to go ahead. The Prime Minister said in calling that that she had only recently aNd Relu Cta Ntly that that she had only recently and reluctantly come to the conclusion that an early election is the only way to guarantee certainty and stability for the years ahead. She said that the government is determined to get the job of brexit done and Opposition Politicians have been trying to thwart at in threatening to vote against the government position on brexit full she said the Negotiating Position of the government had been weakened by political opposition. In the polls, the Conservative Party is currently 21 points ahead of labour in the latest poll. It was a poll in the independent. It gave the tories a6 of the vote share. That gave the tory party the greatest lead for a government since 1983. As a result of that, theresa may is being accused of political opportunism. She said this is what is in the best interests of the country. Lets take a closer look at the constitutional implications of the announcement by the Prime Minister. The Deputy Director of the institute the government isjoining us live director of the institute the government is joining us live from central london. What is your perspective on where we are heading . I think it took everyone by surprise. Now, looking forward to the process in some ways will feel like any General Election we have had over the years. The Prime Minister has made an announcement and the country is looking forward toa and the country is looking forward to a vote on the 8th ofjune. It is quite different, the technical way the Prime Minister is ending up calling this election. She has not been able to do it under her own authority for that that used to be how the uk system worked. She is asking parliament if it agrees she can have an election. That will be tomorrow for the most people expect get the two thirds majority she needs at that point and the queen will issue a proclamation saying the election date. The Political Parties no doubt will start their campaigning well in of that. She spoke after becoming Prime Minister of the need for stability after the uncertainty of what lay ahead, following on from the Referendum Result. Is it right now to call an election in the countrys best interests in orderfor election in the countrys best interests in order for there to election in the countrys best interests in orderfor there to be election in the countrys best interests in order for there to be a clear mandate . There will be a lot of factors. The Prime Minister spoke a lot about brexit and the potential for the Opposition Parties voting against and things like that. She did not mention the potential of her own backbench to vote against parts of the agreement. There are other implications. The impact of brexit will take a long time. People are talking about the two years. We will leave the eu formally in 2019. Implementation of the new systems round immigration, round customs, all of that may take quite a bit longer. I suspect the Prime Minister was thinking this gives her a good five years to actually do the negotiations and implement the changes and then returned to the country on a platform saying this is what brexit was, this is how i have delivered it and this is how things have changed. The planned election would have been quite soon in showing what has changed even though it is quite a weight off. We have heard from the spokesman of donald tusk saying what is being done on the ee part in terms of preparing for brexit continues unaffected by this. The eu part of it puts it on the back burner here, for six or seven weeks. I do not think it will make that much difference to the timelines for negotiation. The eu has major elections happening. The frenchman is coming up in a few weeks and the germans have a General Election in september. There is a lot that will not really happened on the high political scene until those elections are out of the way. The more detailed, technical preparations will simply continue. In the background, the u k. s Civil Service will continue to do the work necessary to lay the scene for the big, political negotiations which will come in six months or so. It does not really change that timeline for negotiation is very much. That will probably in theresa mays mind, get the triggering of article 50 out of the way and take this space before the in earnest negotiations start. It is interesting, looking on twitter, how people are reacting to the fact will be having a second General Election in two years we had the referendum last year. There was a Scottish Referendum election. There were a lot of votes and a lot of uncertainty. Gary chapman has said, the conservatives will almost certainly win but look at what happened with David Cameron on brexit. My sister was so disappointed that she could not vote to remain and now will she and now will be able to vote to make a difference. Just looking obviously, people are self selecting and getting in touch on twitter. There isa getting in touch on twitter. There is a lot of good debate on the about what the implications of another vote will be. Will be interesting to see if there is such a high level of engagement around the country with things like turnout and how people will feel about it. People generally do not like elections. Lots of people will have local elections coming up starting in may with the General Election starting in june. Not to mention people in Northern Ireland who seem to be in perpetual elections. People do not like that. That being said, most people who are really into politics have been speculating about this for quite some time. For the general public, this will come as a surprise. I am sure the Prime Minister will hope they can see her point. This is giving stability to the country over brexit. Others will be talking about some of the other huge issues. We are going to hearfrom the some of the other huge issues. We are going to hear from the leader of the Liberal Democrats. They do not wa nt the Liberal Democrats. They do not want a hard brexit was they want to keep britain in the Single Market. It is another trinity for us to have a strong opposition in this country that we desperately need. Only through the Liberal Democrats is that any pathway for the conservatives losing their majority. Theresa may says it is the right time for that is it the right time for the Liberal Democrats . We have been calling for an early General Election since theresa may came to power. It is an opportunity for the country to say this is the direction we want the country to going but not the extreme direction that theresa may is taking us in. The Prime Minister thinks this is a good time for the tory party. Will it be a good time for you . Across the country, people will want to express their views that whether in or out of the European Union, we want to remain in the Single Market. Theresa may has no mandate to take a stab of the Single Market. It is the opportunity for the british people to have a decent, strong opposition. Are you organised and ready for this fight . The Liberal Democrats were prepared for an election we thought would happen in autumn. The Liberal Democrats are always prepared. Here we are in cornwall, the place where our fightback began. From this springboard, we had an berchiche to give the british people a chance to change direction for the company. We had an opportunity. Lets talk about cornwall. You were wiped out here in that last election you just mentioned. I cannot affect the result for the last election but i can for the next one. We are here today to dojust can for the next one. We are here today to do just that. Most people in cornwall voted for brexit. As evidence now becomes clear, this is an opportunity for the british people to say whether were in or out of the European Union, we desperately need to be in Single Market. Were you surprised by the announcement today . market. Were you surprised by the announcement today . I have always assumed she would go for an early election. I thought she needed a mandate of her own after she was elected or appointed tory leader la st elected or appointed tory leader last summer. Of course, the rest of us today, this has come as a surprise and we are prepared. Thank you very much indeed. We are alive with the daily politics any minute now. That is tim farron, who is enjoying this moment that this is something he wanted to happen. He has repeatedly said the Referendum Result that voted through brexit did not clearly indicate whether people wa nt to not clearly indicate whether people want to leave the Single Market or not. Lets go back to the Deputy Director of the institute for government. Will we get clarity . Tim farron has repeatedly said since the Referendum Result, people did not actually mean they wanted hard brexit. It was more about staying in the Single Market. It is not clear what peoples in tensions were about. Will we get complete clarity Going Forward as a result of this General Election about what the country General Election about what the cou ntry wa nts to General Election about what the country wants to see . In many ways this will be helpful. General elections, parties put out ma nifestos elections, parties put out manifestos and going to a lot more detail about what they really are standing for and where they are on things like whether we are in and out of the Single Market and what an immigration system should look like, how we trade with the rest of the world back will be spelt out. The government can say this is what we we re government can say this is what we were elected to do. There is lots of speculation about what the British Public meant. This will give us a General Election which will elect a government which can claim to have a mandate to implement in detail what it wants to do. I think it will be very interesting to see how this plays. Brexit is something the Liberal Democrats are keen to play. Labour will no doubt want to talk a lot about the spending situation in the uk where there is real pressure on Public Services and real issue is going on. In scotland, no doubt, this will be used as a referendum on whether there should be a second referendum for scottish independence. There will be a lot of moving parts in this Election Campaign will stop we have seven weeks to see it play out. Thank you very much. Let me tell you that donald tusk has tweeted again. He has said he has had a good phone call with theresa may on the upcoming uk elections. The tweet is saying, if hitchcock directed brexit, the tension is rising. It was an unexpected announcement from the Prime Minister in Downing Street. We knew she was going to make a significant announcement. No prior detail about what it would be. A lot of speculation. We are now heading for a Snap General Election on the 8th ofjune. Earlier on, our chief Political Correspondent spoke to Iain Duncan Smith and Alastair Carmichael of the lib dems to get their reaction. Everyone will be surprised. The hands of the Prime Minister are always to keep this quiet until she announced it. I think she made the right choice with the public has enough time to realise with theresa may they have someone who is focused and has strong leadership. I think she is right. At the moment the government was elected before the referendum. It means right now we have a problem. In the House Of Lords there has been a lot of talk about delaying and blocking this and making it difficult to get through. She is right to clear the air, have a mandate and say, the british people want us to get on with this we can properly negotiate in europe. I think that is the right thing to do. There is a risk. Only half of the british people who voted wanted to leave the be you. She makes this about brexit again. Isnt that the risk . It is not about brexit, it is about electing a government to get on with brexit and carry on the normal business. The reason for this General Election is, right now, there is a disproportionate bake in there is a disproportionate bake in the House Of Lords which has a chance to vote on this. You have 100 members of the House Of Lords who are liberal peers but only nine members of the House Of Commons. Resetting balance and making it clear you have a mandate in the commons for theresa may and the government to get on and run their so we have a proper, strong, stable government over the next five years which can do brexit and Strong Enough to do good, Domestic Legislation as well. Aye the real reason is labour polling 20 points behind the tories. Jeremy corbyns leadership is in trouble. Theresa may has looked at that realise she can makea may has looked at that realise she can make a lot of gains full stop thatis can make a lot of gains full stop that is secondary. She realises she needs that mandate. The labour party has its own particular problems. There will be labour mps who also wa nt to there will be labour mps who also want to see the General Election for internal reasons. The reality is, for theresa may, this is a bold, strong, serious decision made by somebody who has complete confidence in their leadership. The public, as they have shown, genuinely feel she is the right kind of person. . Ian says this is no such thing, but the reality is that she got what she wanted. Albeit that article 50 had to be brought kicking and screaming from her as a result of a court case. So it is opportunistic. She is doing something now that she said categorically she was not going to do. But this is how she has operated since day one. She has tried to run this country not from a National Interest, but from the narrow Party Advantage of the conservatives. This isjust the most re ce nt conservatives. This isjust the most recent example of it. It is utterly opportunistic but it is an opportunity for the Liberal Democrats and we will not pass it up. You may well make some gains but if shes heading for a landslide, can you stop . The only way to stop conservative landslide, and you have to be careful about pre getting politics, the only thing that will stand in the way of the conservative landslide is Liberal Democrats taking back seats that we lost to them in 2015. And that is happening week in and week out in council by election is up and down the country. You will see that happen again, i believe, come the General Election day. That was reaction from Liberal Democrats and Iain Duncan Smith of the tories earlier. Gideon skinner is from ipsos mori and joins us from central london. Theresa may has called the selection knowing that the conservatives are riding high in the polls. The latest polling puts the tories 21 points ahead of labour. Does that make it a dead cert for the tories . What are the risks . No pollster will ever call anything a dead cert. Clearly the conservatives are in a strong position. They have been since theresa may was elected. Well, was made by minister. And even before then. But it is not without risk. We do not know how the public will react to this announcement and the conservatives have had a strong lead. Her personal ratings are in particular are very good. The honeymoon has lasted a lot longer than her predecessors, David Cameron or gordon brown. We need to see how it will play out over the next couple of weeks. I want to bring reaction from Nicola Sturgeon. She has just been speaking. Is now the right time, First Minister, for a uk General Election . This is a big issue. It is very clear that the Prime Ministers announcement today is one all about the narrow interests of the party, not the interests of the country overall. Clearly, she seized the opportunity, given the total disarray in the rights of the labour party, to crush all opposition to her, to get rid of people that disagree with her, and to give herself a free hand to take the country in the increasingly right wing direction she wants to ta ke right wing direction she wants to take it in. And that would mean not just the hardest possible brexit but more austerity and deeper cuts. So now is the time for scotlands voice to be heard and for people in scotland to stand up for the kind of country that we want scotland to be and that is a campaign i look forward to leading in the weeks ahead. Given your calls for another Independence Referendum and a resista nce Independence Referendum and a resistance to theresa mays approach to brexit, are you partly responsible for this early vote . make no apology for standing up for scotland and how they voted in the Eu Referendum, which was against brexit, and particularly against ha rd brexit, and particularly against hard brexit. Ithink brexit, and particularly against hard brexit. I think when you listen to theresa mays statement this morning, it is that democratic opposition which is healthy in any democracy that she sees the opportunity to crush. I do not think thatis opportunity to crush. I do not think that is a good way forward and it would not be in scotlands interest. The question of what country we want to be is very much going to be at sta ke to be is very much going to be at stake in this Election Campaign and whether we want that to be a country the future of which is steered and directed by a tory party moving ever more to the right or whether we want the people of scotland to be in charge. This is an opportunity to make scotlands voice heard and make sure we have mps from scotland that will first and foremost be about fighting scotlands corner. will first and foremost be about fighting scotlands corner. If the tories crush some of your gains from the last election, how likely is that . We will be defending all the seats that we fought last time around andl seats that we fought last time around and i will be fighting to win. I think the prime around and i will be fighting to win. Ithink the Prime Ministers called the selection selfish and narrow, for Party Political interests, and i relish the prospect of getting out there and standing up for scotlands interests and values, standing up for scotlands voice be heard and standing against the ability of a right wing Conservative Party to impose which ever policies it once in scotland. I relish the possibility. Will you see a fresh mandate for the will you seek a mandate for the will you seek a mandate for the will you seek a mandate for a second Independence Referendum . I have that mandate and i won it at the Scottish Parliament elections last year. The Scottish Parliament has since voted by majority for that position. That mandate is there and it is clear. This election will be about the kind of country we want scotland to be and whether we want the tories to have a free hand in determining that or whether we want to make sure that we stand up for scotlands Public Services, public spending, against further tory austerity. These are theissues further tory austerity. These are the issues that will be to the fore in this campaign and look forward to reading that campaign. Would you a specific commitment promising another Independence Referendum within 18 months or two years. My opinion on a second referendum is clear and will continue to be. It is asi clear and will continue to be. It is as i set out in this very room a few weeks ago. When the time is right, it should be for scotland to determine our own future, not for a tory government to determine our future. That position is the one that we will take into this election and the one that we will have after this election as well. It will be in your manifesto . I will set out a manifesto but the position on the referendum will be the one i set out in this room a few weeks ago. Will you tell us your next move towards securing the power to have that vote . Securing the power to have that vote . I plan to do that over the next few weeks and that is still the suction i am working on. Clearly we have a Development Today that changes the nature and the shape of the next few weeks, so i will consider the timing of that in the context of the Election Campaign and of course i will send that to parliament in due course. Can Michelle Thomson be an snp candidate in this election . The snp committee will meet over the next few days to set the terms of candidate selection and a numberof set the terms of candidate selection and a number of other matters will be discussed in the formal way. And for the record, it may be academic but will snp mps vote for this election when theresa may brings it to the house . We will not stand in the way of collection, albeit though we think that it has been called for particles go reasons. I think people willjudge theresa may on the reasons for calling this election and that will be a factor in how People Choose to vote. Nicola sturgeon. Lets bring you some reaction from the plaid cymru leader, Leanne Leanne leanne wood. More plaid cymru mps, leader, Leanne Leanne leanne wood. More plaid cymru mp5, for a stronger wales voice. I am unable to. Lets go back to ipsos mori. Gideon skinner, does this become effectively another referendum on eu membership . Will people vote with brexit in the front of their minds . Well, we know that brexit is the single most important issue facing the country. In fact it is higher than we have ever seen concern about europe since 1970. That does not mean it is the only issue. Concern about the nhs is high. We know that there is more pessimism about the future of Public Services than we have seen for a long time. Brexit will be key and there was a lot of confidence in theresa may, and the way shes handling brexit, but it will not be the only issue. Skinner, thank you. It was an unexpected statement from the Prime Minister when she announced this morning that she would be calling a General Election for the 8th ofjune. Seven weeks away. Previously, she had said she would not call a Snap Election. But this is how she made the announcement this morning. I have just chaired a meeting of the cabinet where we agreed the government should call a General Election to be held on the 8th ofjune. I want to explain the reasons for that decision. What will happen next, and the choice facing the british people, when you come to vote in this election. Last summer, after the country voted to leave the European Union, britain needed certainty, stability and strong leadership. And since i became Prime Minister, the government has delivered precisely that. Despite predictions of immediate financial and economic danger, since the referendum we have seen Consumer Confidence remain high, record numbers of jobs and Economic Growth that has exceeded all expectations. We have also delivered on the mandate that we were handed by the Referendum Result. Britain is leaving the European Union and there can be no turning back. And as 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 partnership between a strong and successful European Union and a United Kingdom that is free to chart its own way in the world. That means we will regain control of our own money, our own laws, and our own borders. And we will be free to strike trade deals with old friends and new partners all around the world. This is the right approach and it is in the National Interest. But the other Political Parties oppose it. At this moment of enormous national significance, there should be unity here In Westminster. But instead there is division. The country is coming together but westminster is not. In recent weeks, labour have threatened to vote against the final agreement we reach with the European Union. The Liberal Democrats have said they want to grind the business of government to a standstill. The Scottish National party said it will vote against the legislation that formally repeals britains membership of the European Union. And unelected members of the House Of Lords have vowed to fight us every step of the way. Theresa may with that dramatic announcement this morning that she plans to call a General Election on the 8th ofjune, an announcement she saysisin the 8th ofjune, an announcement she says is in the National Interest. The labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has welcomed the news of an election. Scotlands First Minister has said it could be a huge political mistranslation. Has said it could be a huge political mistra nslation. Thank has said it could be a huge political mistranslation. Thank you for your company. You have been watching bbc news. Coming up, sophie redworth will have all the reaction and analysis live from westminster. Lets catch up with the weather. It may well have been a chilly start but there is some lovely spring sunshine out there. Take a look at this weather watchers picture in leicestershire. I could have shown you numerous shots today because then the sun in eastern scotland, then the sun in eastern scotland, the whole of england and wales. A bit more cloud in Northern Ireland this afternoon and eventually some rain pushing into the north west of scotland. Still on the chilly side here with eight or 9 degrees. Is i use, 1a in the south east. As we go through the night with clear skies by date, temperatures are really going to drop off very quickly indeed. The exception will be Northern Ireland and scotland. We will be able to keep more cloud and temperatures will be holding up. But elsewhere, the lows will be down to minus four degrees. Hard frost is possible in some places, not great news possible in some places, not great news not great news for young, tender spring plants. A band of cloud moving into north wales, eventually right into scotland. Not a scotland. Not as cold. Theresa may calls for a Snap General Election, to be held onjune 8th. In a Surprise Announcement mrs may said she had recently and reluctantly come to the decision to see the uk through brexit and beyond. At this moment of enormous national significance, there should be unity here in westminsiter, but instead there is division. The country is coming together but westminster is not. The General Election would need parliamentary approval. Mps will vote tomorrow. Labour say they will back it. Were going out there to put the case, to put the case of how this country could be run, how it could be different, how we could have a much Fairer Society that works for all, everybody in our community