The Prime Minister Theresa May has called a snap General Election for the United Kingdom.
This means the British people will go to the polls in June to elect a Prime Minister.
Mrs May said that Britain needed certainty, stability and strong leadership following the triggering of Article 50 to leave the European Union.
The Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn has said that he welcomes an early election.
The Prime Minister has previously said that she would not hold a General Election until the next scheduled date in 2020.
In order to hold a snap election, Mrs May must get the backing of Parliament due to the Fixed Terms Parliament Act.
There are lots of issues that will be dominating the election campaign, including Brexit, Scottish Independence and the rise of popularism in world politics.
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Theresa May’s speech in full
“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.
“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 standstill.
“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.
“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.”
So it looks like Theresa May wants to have the cake and eat it too. That’s pititul