“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.” Conservative party leader Theresa May“I have only recently and reluctantly come to this conclusion,” May said. “Since I became prime minister I’ve said there should be no election until 2020, but now I have concluded that the only way to guarantee certainty and security for the years ahead is to hold this election and seek your support for the decisions we must take.” May specifically pointed to the Labour party’s threat to vote against the final Brexit agreement and opposition from the Scottish National Party and Liberal Democrats. May will introduce a motion in the House of Commons on April 19 to approve the plan. The motion requires a two-thirds majority. The House of Commons is expected to dissolve on May 3.
Reactions
“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,” Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said. Corbyn also told the BBC that he would be the country’s prime minister if his party wins. Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron rallied supporters, tweeting that “this is your chance” for a Britain that is “open, tolerant, and united.” “Only the Liberal Democrats can prevent a Conservative majority,” Farron said. Farron accused May of “bottling” televised debates and urged broadcasters to “empty chair” her if she refused to participate. Green Party leader Caroline Lucas said: “Only the Green party offers a bold, positive vision for a different kind of Britain.” “The Tories see a chance to move the UK to the right, force through a hard Brexit and impose deeper cuts,” Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon said. “Let’s stand up for Scotland.” In Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams tweeted: “So Ms May has called a British General Election. Sinn Féin is up 4 that!” He said the elections would be another chance to vote against Brexit. Social Democratic and Labour Party leader Colum Eastwood issued a statement. “We now have an opportunity to strengthen the mandate of parties which campaigned against and consistently voted against Brexit at Westminster,” he said. Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster called for a unionist pact, saying “the forthcoming election will be an opportunity for unionists to unite around a strong Democratic Unionist Party that will advocate for them in Parliament.”Live TV coverage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y60wDzZt8ygAs it happened
https://twitter.com/MarcMallett_UTV/status/854298855688478720
Full statement from Northern Ireland’s SDLP:
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said that the British Prime Minister’s rush to call a snap Westminster election reflects the disdain she holds for Northern Ireland and attempts to restore power sharing government here.
Mr Eastwood said that the election on Brexit offers an opportunity for the public to stand behind parties which have steadfastly fought to defend the North.
He said:
“It tells you all you need to know about Theresa May that she would call a snap Westminster election in the middle of intense efforts to restore power sharing government to Northern Ireland. From the beginning of her tenure as British Prime Minister she has shown very little but disinterest and disdain for this place.
“As Theresa May seeks a mandate for a hard Brexit from an English electorate, people here have an opportunity to unite behind parties which have defended their will and sought to protect our values.
“England may want to isolate itself from Europe and the world. But people in Northern Ireland and Scotland made a different choice. A choice that cannot be fulfilled through a hard Brexit. We now have an opportunity to strengthen the mandate of parties which campaigned against and consistently voted against Brexit at Westminster.
“I know people are suffering from electoral fatigue. But this is not a time to sit on the sidelines. This is a moment to unite to deliver a strong message to Theresa May and the Brexiteers. Our voice will be heard.”
https://twitter.com/MarcMallett_UTV/status/854298855688478720
Full statement from Northern Ireland’s SDLP:
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said that the British Prime Minister’s rush to call a snap Westminster election reflects the disdain she holds for Northern Ireland and attempts to restore power sharing government here.
Mr Eastwood said that the election on Brexit offers an opportunity for the public to stand behind parties which have steadfastly fought to defend the North.
“It tells you all you need to know about Theresa May that she would call a snap Westminster election in the middle of intense efforts to restore power sharing government to Northern Ireland. From the beginning of her tenure as British Prime Minister she has shown very little but disinterest and disdain for this place.
“As Theresa May seeks a mandate for a hard Brexit from an English electorate, people here have an opportunity to unite behind parties which have defended their will and sought to protect our values.
“England may want to isolate itself from Europe and the world. But people in Northern Ireland and Scotland made a different choice. A choice that cannot be fulfilled through a hard Brexit. We now have an opportunity to strengthen the mandate of parties which campaigned against and consistently voted against Brexit at Westminster.
“I know people are suffering from electoral fatigue. But this is not a time to sit on the sidelines. This is a moment to unite to deliver a strong message to Theresa May and the Brexiteers. Our voice will be heard.”
Henry McDonald from The Guardian:
The Northern Ireland Office said today any local assembly election is a function of what happens at the inter-party negotiations in Belfast. The prime minister’s announcement today will not have any bearing on separate election to a new devolved parliament at Stormont, the NIO confirmed.
Henry McDonald from The Guardian:
The Northern Ireland Office said today any local assembly election is a function of what happens at the inter-party negotiations in Belfast. The prime minister’s announcement today will not have any bearing on separate election to a new devolved parliament at Stormont, the NIO confirmed.
https://twitter.com/MarcMallett_UTV/status/854298855688478720
Full statement from Northern Ireland’s SDLP:
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said that the British Prime Minister’s rush to call a snap Westminster election reflects the disdain she holds for Northern Ireland and attempts to restore power sharing government here.
Mr Eastwood said that the election on Brexit offers an opportunity for the public to stand behind parties which have steadfastly fought to defend the North.
“It tells you all you need to know about Theresa May that she would call a snap Westminster election in the middle of intense efforts to restore power sharing government to Northern Ireland. From the beginning of her tenure as British Prime Minister she has shown very little but disinterest and disdain for this place.
“As Theresa May seeks a mandate for a hard Brexit from an English electorate, people here have an opportunity to unite behind parties which have defended their will and sought to protect our values.
“England may want to isolate itself from Europe and the world. But people in Northern Ireland and Scotland made a different choice. A choice that cannot be fulfilled through a hard Brexit. We now have an opportunity to strengthen the mandate of parties which campaigned against and consistently voted against Brexit at Westminster.
“I know people are suffering from electoral fatigue. But this is not a time to sit on the sidelines. This is a moment to unite to deliver a strong message to Theresa May and the Brexiteers. Our voice will be heard.”