Strategy behind PM May’s poll U-turn

THERESA May has done a U-Turn on her pledge not to call an election before 2020 because she said the Brexit negotiations need a vote of trust in her and her government.

The Prime Minister is risking her job in the election as she looks to increase the Tory majority from 17 MPs.

She said divisions at Westminster meant she had “reluctantly” decided to seek an early election.

Ms May said on outside Downing Street: “The country is coming together but Westminster is not.”

She said she needs the support of the country before entering Brexit talks with the EU.

She added: “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.”

In order to call the early election, she will need the support of two-thirds of the 650 MPs in the Commons but Labour is expected to support her, as any opposition would look weak if it did not agree to the chance to take office.

Mr Corbyn said Mrs May’s decision had given voters 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

The first Minister will be looking to repeat the success of 2015 when the SNP won 56 of Scotland’s 59 Westminster seats.

If she does, she believes the SNP’s case for a referendum is unstoppable.

She said: “In terms of Scotland, this move is a huge political miscalculation by the Prime Minister.

“It will once again give people the opportunity to reject the Tories’ narrow, divisive agenda, as well as reinforcing the democratic mandate which already exists for giving the people of Scotland a choice on their future.”

Labour Leader Kezia Dugdale said the election choice was between Labour and the Conservatives. NHS,” said the Labour leader.

“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.”

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said the election provided an opportunity to block “a disastrous hard Brexit”.

“This election is your chance to change the direction of our country,” he said in a message to voters.

“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.”

Mrs May said her decision came in response to efforts by other parties to disrupt the Article 50 process of triggering Brexit negotiations and suggestions they might seek to block any deal which she eventually achieves.