
Theresa May sprung a massive surprise on the nation and her own ministers today by announced a snap general election for June 8 - after having a moment of clarity on a walking holiday in Wales.

In a dramatic statement on the steps of Downing Street, the Prime Minister fired the starting gun on a poll that she hopes will deliver her an unassailable majority to shape the country's future.

She blamed opposition parties who have been trying to frustrate Brexit for her sudden change of heart after months insisting she will not hold an election - singling out Nicola Sturgeon's efforts to exploit the situation to tear the UK apart.

The bold move took even Cabinet members by surprise, having been kept a closely guarded secret between a handful of the premier's closest allies and aides.

Brexit Secretary David Davis and Chancellor Philip Hammond have been jointly pressing the PM to call an early vote for some time, and were informed of Mrs May's decision at a meeting yesterday. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Amber Rudd are understood to have been told this morning shortly before the gathering of her top team in No10.

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A beaming Theresa May leaving Downing Street after making her dramatic announcement on the steps of the famous building today

Mrs May said weakness in Westminster would weaken her hand in the Brexit negotiations - knowing an election against Jeremy Corbyn could hand her a huge Commons majority

Mrs May revealed the shift was driven by soul-searching while she hiked in Snowdonia with husband Philip over the Easter break.

On another high-octane day in UK politics that could have repercussions for decades to come:

Jeremy Corbyn declared Labour will back holding a snap election despite polls showing it could deliver a 140 majority for Mrs May. MPs including former home secretary Alan Johnson and Tom Blenkinsop announced they will stand down rather than fight for their seats again.

MPs will hold a 90-minute debate in the House of Commons tomorrow before voting on whether to scrap the Fixed Term Parliaments Act timetable for holding the next election in May 2020.

Tory aides were left scrambling to work out the impact on local elections due to be held next month, while the by-election in Manchester Gorton due for May 4 is now likely to be abandoned.

Mrs May has been accused of 'bottling' TV debates after it emerged she will not agree to take part in TV debates during the campaign.

The leader of the socialist bloc in the European Parliament, Gianni Pitella, condemned Mrs May's decision to stage an election as 'immoral' and accused her of exploiting concerns about Brexit.

The media were given barely an hour's notice of the speech this morning, and there had been no rumours at Westminster about her change of heart. Even as the Cabinet meeting began this morning, aides to senior ministers were still sending out updates on other areas of government business.

Mrs May said Britain needed strong leadership to navigate the fraught divorce talks with the EU, insisting she was now convinced an early poll was in the 'national interest'.

She said 'every vote for the Conservatives' would give her a stronger hand when she sits across the negotiating table from the EU's presidents and prime ministers to hammer out a Brexit deal.

The election is an astonishing U-turn from the Prime Minister who has repeatedly said she would not call another ballot before 2020 - insisting it would cause instability and hurt the country.

Theresa May has announced a snap general election will be held on June 8 in a shock revelation that stunned Westminster today. The PM said she needed a Brexit mandate that have her a strong hand in the negotiations with the EU

Mrs May addressed the nation via a huge pack of reporters who scrambled to Downing Street after the surprise speech was announced at around 10am

Mrs May walked back into No 10 following her historic statement, which lasted about seven minutes

Mrs May's election call was made in the knowledge a series of polls have shown the Conservatives with historic leads in a series of opinion polls. The most recent YouGov at the weekend showed a 21-point lead

The most recent polls suggest Mrs May could get a huge Commons majority of 140. She leads Jeremy Corbyn by more than 30 per cent when voters are asked who would make the best PM.

A survey carried out by ICM for the Guardian after the news was delivered this morning found 55 per cent of the public back her call for an early ballot. Just 15 per cent opposed it.

The PM discussed her plans for an early election with Queen by telephone yesterday. Her Majesty is expected to dissolve Parliament ahead of the poll on May 3.

Political guru Sir Lynton Crosby - who masterminded David Cameron's shock 2015 victory - is set to run the campaign for the Tories.

But she has suffered a blow with the announcement that No10 communications chief Katy Perrior is leaving.

The Premier made the announcement immediately after a long Cabinet meeting with her top team.

MAY MUST GET THE CONSENT OF MPS TOMORROW NIGHT Theresa May will call a vote in the Commons tomorrow night to confirm her election timetable. The vote will carry with Labour support, confirming the poll for June 8. A vote is needed because the Fixed-term Parliaments Act stripped the Prime Minister of the power to call a general election at a point of her choosing. Under this law, the next general election would be expected in May 2020 - subject to a tiny number of exceptions. Under the law, Mrs May must get a two third majority supporting the election in the Commons tomorrow night. This is 435 MPs - far fewer than the combined force of 559 Conservative and Labour MPs. Once tomorrow's vote is passed, the next key date will be May 3 when Parliament is officially dissolved. The day after, on May 4, many voters will go to the polls in local and council elections - and the Manchester Gorton by-election. Advertisement

MPs will hold a 90-minute debate tomorrow before voting on whether to scrap the timetable in the Fixed Term Parliaments Act - which would have meant no election until 2020.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said he will vote for an early election even though the polls suggest his party will be routed - making the vote a formality.

It means Britain will go to the polls in just seven weeks, little more than two years after the last election in May 2015.

Mrs May said: 'Our opponents believe that because the government's majority is extremely small that they can weaken our resolve and persuade us to change course.

'I am not prepared to let them endanger the security of millions of working people across the country.'

Let us tomorrow vote for an election... and let the people decide.'

The premier added: 'If we do not hold a general election now, their political game playing will continue as the negotiations with the European Union will reach their most pivotal stage in the run up to the next general 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.'

'The decision facing the country will be all about leadership.'

She said: 'We need a general election and we need one now, because 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.'

Asked in an interview with ITV News later if there was a 'moment' when she changed her mind, Mrs May said: 'As we were going through the Article 50 process the opposition attempts to jeopardise or frustrate the process in future became clearer.

'Before Easter I spent a few days walking in Wales with my husband and thought about this long and hard.

'I came to the decision that to provide that stability and certainty for the future this was the way to do it, to have an election.

'I trust the British people.'

Labour leader Mr Corbyn confirmed he would back the early election - but suffered an immediate blow as Labour MP Tom Blenkinsop said he would quit Parliament rather than stand under Mr Corbyn.

Mr Corbyn said: 'I welcome the Prime Minister's decision to give the British people the chance to vote for a government that will put the interests of the majority first.

'Labour will be offering the country an effective alternative to a government that has failed to rebuild the economy, delivered falling living standards and damaging cuts to our schools and NHS.

'In the last couple of weeks, Labour has set out policies that offer a clear and credible choice for the country.

'We look forward to showing how Labour will stand up for the people of Britain.'

The Premier made the announcement immediately after a long Cabinet meeting with her top team. MPs will vote on holding the election tomorrow

Mrs May emerged from No 10 with her announcement still a closely guarded secret after she shocked Westminster by announcing the speech just an hour ahead of time

Mrs May directly blamed Jeremy Corbyn (pictured left in London today) and Nicola Sturgeon (pictured in Edinburgh today) for forcing her to take the nation to the polls

Even Remainer Tory MPs like Anna Soubry welcomed the PM's decision to call an election - although the feeling in the wider country may be less positive

POUNDS LEAPS AS MAY CALLS ELECTION After Theresa May made her speech, the pound regained the ground it lost against the US dollar this morning and then rocketed higher The pound rocketed higher as Theresa May called for a snap General Election on 8 June, in what is being regarded as a show of strength for the Prime Minister. Sterling had dropped 0.3 per cent this morning on news of a surprise announcement by the Prime Minister, falling to $1.251, but as she gave her speech it recovered and then shot up to trade higher at $1.266. Traders are expecting a volatile two-and-a-half months before voters go to the polls, with the Tories expected to win a greater majority in an election but also the possibility that they could lose ground and Brexit could be stalled. Advertisement

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: 'This election is your chance to change the direction of our country.

'If you want to avoid a disastrous Hard Brexit. If you want to keep Britain in the Single Market. If you want a Britain that is open, tolerant and united, this is your chance.

'Only the Liberal Democrats can prevent a Conservative majority.'

The Liberal Democrats claimed to have recruited 1,000 new party members in the first hour after the election announcement.

Scottish First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said: 'The Tories see a chance to move the UK to the right, force through a hard Brexit and impose deeper cuts. Let's stand up for Scotland.'

The surprise move was endorsed by David Cameron, Mrs May's predecessor at No 10 who won a surprise election victory in 2015.

He tweeted: 'Brave - and right - decision by PM Theresa May. My very best wishes to all Conservative candidates.'

As recently as last month, Mrs May ruled out holding an early election despite record breaking polling leads over Labour and Jeremy Corbyn.

It is widely believed the Prime Minister would be able to secure the two-thirds majority among MPs needed to overturn the provisions of the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act which require a five-year period between elections.

The other EU leaders meet on April 29 to agree their own position. Little can then happen before French presidential election ends on May 7.

But Mrs May's official spokesman told a Westminster media briefing on March 26: 'There is no change in our position on an early general election, that there isn't going to be one... It is not going to happen.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, pictured today on GMB, has welcomed the general election but Nicola Sturgeon, pictured right in Edinburgh today, said the PM was putting party before country

'There is a Fixed-Term Parliaments Act.

'We have been clear that there isn't going to be an early general election and the Prime Minister is getting on with delivering the will of the British people.'

Mr Corbyn had repeatedly confirmed in public he would be prepared to vote for an early general election, despite his grim and deteriorating position in the polls.

As recently as March 26 he insisted Labour was ready for a poll.

With polls regularly giving Conservatives a double-digit lead over Labour, some Tory MPs have argued an early election would give Mrs May an opportunity to secure a comfortable majority in the House of Commons.

MASTERMIND BEHIND CAMERON'S 2015 POLL VICTORY IS TO RUN TORY CAMPAIGN Sir Lynton Crosby will be running the Conservative campaign The politcal guru credited with delivering David Cameron's shock majority in 2015 is being drafted in to run Theresa May's election campaign. Sir Lynton Crosby will be running the Conservative campaign. The Australian maestro was credited with forging Boris Johnson's career by running his successful bid to become London Mayor. Mr Cameron rewarded him for his role in the election battle two years ago with an honorary knighthood. Sir Lynton famously used to play Queen's One Vision at high volume in Tory HQ to raise morale among activists. But he opted to stay out of the historic EU referendum battle last year. Advertisement

They warn that her precarious 17-seat working majority will leave her vulnerable to rebellions during the protracted process of negotiating withdrawal from the EU.

Even Remain-supporting Conservatives have voiced support for the PM's dramatic move today.

Browtowe MP Anna Soubry, who rebelled over some Brexit Bill amendments, compared Mrs May favourably with Gordon Brown - who notoriously backed away from holding a poll in 2007 after allowing speculation to run riot.

'Winning a GE gives PM the mandate & authority she needs especially for Brexit negotiations. TM no Gordon Brown! She is brave & principled,' Mrs Soubry tweeted.

There was widespread delight as it emerged Sir Lynton Crosby, who masterminded Mr Cameron's surprise election victory in 2015, will be running the Conservative campaign.

Sir Lynton was credited with forging Boris Johnson's career by running his successful bid to become London Mayor. But he opted to stay out of the historic EU referendum battle last year.

Meanwhile, Ms Perrior is leaving the post of director of communications at 10 Downing Street and is not expected to play any part in the upcoming campaign.

Her departure sparked speculation that Mrs May's chief of staff Fiona Hill will run communications for the Tory campaign, but party sources said they were not discussing staffing at this stage.

Ms Perrior said she supported Mrs May's decision to call a poll but had always said she would not stay on for an election.

'Always said I wouldn't stay past an election,' she told the Guido Fawkes website.

'Good decision, right choice. A vote for Theresa May and a Conservative Government is the only route forward. As for me - new opportunities ahead. Exciting times.'

A former Conservative Party staffer who worked as Mrs May's press officer in opposition, Ms Perrior founded the PR company iNHouse Communications in 2006 and was recruited to head the new PM's communications team at Number 10 following her elevation to the premiership last year.

The PM has been boosted by new forecasts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), upgrading its growth expectation for the UK economy this year by 0.5 per cent to 2 per cent.

The organisation has also pushed up its estimates for next year by 0.1 per cent to 1.5 per cent, despite warning of uncertainty around the Brexit negotiations.

Mrs May spoke to EU council president Donald Tusk today to let him know her decision.

But Mr Pitella, the leader of the powerful socialist bloc in the European Parliament, accused her of 'immoral' behaviour.

'Theresa May is playing the same game that David Cameron played some years ago by exploiting Brexit to strengthen her political grip within her party and the country. It is immoral in a way. It is unacceptable to exploit such a sensitive issue as Brexit,' he said.

A huge media scrum scrambled to Downing Street after No 10 made a mysterious announcement of a speech from Mrs May at around an hour's notice.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Aid Secretary Priti Patel arrived in Downing Street for today's Cabinet, after which Mrs May spoke to the nation to reveal her election plans

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was seen arriving into Downing Street for the Cabinet meeting earlier today

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire and Brexit Secretary David Davis arrived at No 10 for the regular Cabinet meeting this morning

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling were also in Downing Street this morning

Corbyn faces losing a THIRD of his MPs in election catastrophe but is STILL picking fights with moderates over demand for reselection votes

Jeremy Corbyn faces losing a third of his MPs in a general election catastrophe - but is still picking fights with moderates for control of the Labour Party.

Polls show the veteran left-winger is headed for disaster in the ballot being called by Theresa May for June 8 - with around 70 seats forecast to be surrendered.

The exodus from the party gathered pace after the PM's announcement with grandee Alan Johnson saying he will not stand again in Hull West and Hessle.

Corbyn critic Tom Blenkinsop has also said he will not run in the national vote.

Jeremy Corbyn is picking another fight with Labour moderates despite facing losing up to a third of his MPs in the looming general election

Labour MP and Corbyn critic Tom Blenkinsop (left) announced he would not be standing for re-election. Labour heavyweight Alan Johnson will also not seek re-election

But despite the growing turmoil Mr Corbyn is set to escalate tensions with moderate MPs by demanding they face re-selection.

Normal practice would be for sitting MPs to be automatically adopted when an election is called at such short notice.

But the leader is expected to press for all the politicians to go through a trigger ballot process, which would mean they would need more than 50 per cent of votes in their local party.

The issue could go before Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) as early as tomorrow.

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Mr Blenkinsop said 'irreconcilable differences' with Mr Corbyn's team meant he would not seek re-election, while Mr Johnson told party members he wanted to 'do other things with my life'.

Mr Johnson has previously said Mr Corbyn is 'not up to the job' of being leader of the opposition and his decision not to stand is a further blow to the party.

As a widely-admired politician, who has often been encouraged to run for the party's leadership, he was one of the few senior figures in the party who maintained a broad appeal.

The former Home Secretary Mr Johnson told local Labour party members: 'I've decided that going now will give me the opportunity to do other things with my life and is therefore in the best interests of me and my family. I also think it's best for the Party.'

Speaking of his 20 years as MP for West Hull, he said: 'Every day has been a privilege and a pleasure but it can't go on for ever and the electoral cycle means that each incumbent has to think again about what's best for them, the constituency and the Party.'

Nicola Sturgeon blasts Theresa May's decision to call an early general election as 'one of the most extraordinary U-turns in recent political history'

Nicola Sturgeon has blasted Theresa May's decision to call an early general election as 'one of the most extraordinary U-turns in recent political history'.

Scotland's First Minister said the Prime Minister is 'once again putting the interests of her party ahead of those of the country'.

The leader of the Scottish National Party vowed to 'stand up for Scotland' as the UK goes to the polls in June.

Nicola Sturgeon (pictured in Edinburgh today) hit out at the PM's announcement that she will call a shock early general election, describing it as one of the most extraordinary U-turns in recent political history

Ms Sturgeon said: 'She is clearly betting that the Tories can win a bigger majority in England given the utter disarray in the Labour Party.

'That makes it all the more important that Scotland is protected from a Tory Party which now sees the chance of grabbing control of government for many years to come and moving the UK further to the right - forcing through a hard Brexit and imposing deeper cuts in the process.

'That means that this will be - more than ever before - an election about standing up for Scotland, in the face of a right-wing, austerity-obsessed Tory government with no mandate in Scotland but which now thinks it can do whatever it wants and get away with it.'

Ms Sturgeon said it was 'a huge political miscalculation' by the Prime Minister.

THE TOP TORY TARGET SEATS 1. Chester, majority 93, swing needed 0.18 per cent to win from Labour 2. Ealing Central and Acton, majority 274 over the Tories, swing needed 0.54 per cent to win from Labour 3. Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, majority 328, swing needed 0.60 per cent to win from the SNP 4. Brentford and Isleworth, majority 465, swing needed 0.81 per cent to win from Labour 5. Halifax, majority 428, swing needed 0.98 per cent to win from Labour 6. Wirral West, majority 417, swing needed 1.00 per cent to win from Labour 7. Ilford North, majority 589, swing needed 1.20 per cent to win from Labour 8. Newcastle-under-Lyme, majority 650, swing needed 1.51 per cent to win from Labour 9. Barrow and Furness, majority 795, swing needed 1.84 per cent to win from Labour 10. Wolverhampton South West , majority 801, swing needed 1.99 per cent to win from Labour Advertisement

THE TOP LIB DEM TARGET SEATS 1. Cambridge, majority 599, swing needed 1.16 per cent to win from Labour 2. Eastbourne, majority 733, swing needed 1.39 to win from the Conservatives 3. Lewes, majority 1,083, swing needed 2.14 per cent to win from the Conservatives 4. Thornbury and Yate, majority 1,495, swing needed 3.08 per cent to win from the Conservatives 5. Twickenham, majority 2,017, swing needed 3.25 per cent to win from the Conservatives 6. Dunbartonshire East, majority 2,167, swing needed 3.95 per cent to win from the SNP 7. Kingston and Surbiton, majority 2,834, swing needed 4.78 per cent to win from the Conservatives 8. St Ives, majority 2,469, swing needed 5.11 per cent to win from the Conservatives 9. Edinburgh West, majority 3,210, swing needed 5.85 per cent to win from the SNP 10. Torbay, majority 3,286, swing needed 6.83 per cent to win from the Conservatives Advertisement

Theresa May's statement in full: Read the shock announcement that's stunned Westminster

Here is the full text of Prime Minister Theresa May's statement from Downing Street announcing that a general election is to be held on June 8:

'I have just chaired a meeting of the Cabinet, where we agreed that the Government should call a general election, to be held on June 8.

'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.

The Prime Minister addresses dozens of reporters and photographers on the steps of Downing Street to make the shock announcement

Mrs May said she is calling a general election because 'at this moment of enormous national significance there should be unity here in Westminster, but instead there is division'

'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 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 has threatened to vote against the deal we reach with the European Union.

'The Liberal Democrats have said they want to grind the business of government to a standsill.

'The Scottish National Party say they will vote against the legislation that formally repeals Britain's 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 that because the Government's majority is so small, our resolve will weaken and that they can force us to change course.

Theresa May hit out at Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party for threatening to vote against a Brexit deal

'They are wrong.

'They under-estimate our determination to get the job done and I am not prepared to let them endanger the security of millions of working people across the country.

'Because what they are doing jeopardises the work we must do to prepare for Brexit at home and it weakens the Government's negotiating position in Europe.

'If we do not hold a general election now their political game-playing 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, because 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 that there should be no election until 2020, but now I have concluded that the only way to guarantee certainty and stability for the years ahead is to hold this election and seek your support for the decisions I must take.

'And so tomorrow I will move a motion in the House of Commons calling for a general election to be held on the eighth of June.

'That motion, as set out by the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act, will require a two-thirds majority of the House of Commons.

'So I have a simple challenge to the opposition parties, you have criticised the Government's vision for Brexit, you have challenged our objectives, you have threatened to block the legislation we put before Parliament.

'This is your moment to show you mean it, to show you are not opposing the Government for the sake of it, to show that you do not treat politics as a game.

The PM also criticised the Scottish National Party led by Nicola Sturgeon (pictured in Edinburgh today) for saying they will vote against legislation that formally repeals Britain's membership of the European Union

'Let us tomorrow vote for an election, let us put forward our plans for Brexit and our alternative programmes for government and then let the people decide.

'And the decision facing the country will be all about leadership. It will 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 by Jeremy 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, presidents and chancellors of the European Union.

'Every vote for the Conservatives means we can stick to our plan for a stronger Britain and take the right long-term decisions for a more secure future.

'It was with reluctance that I decided the country needs this election, but 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.'