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Live: Theresa May calls for snap General Election on June 8

Theresa May has called for a snap General Election on June 8.

It comes less than a month after Downing Street said an early election was "not going to happen".

Here are the latest developments:

  • Mrs May said she had "reluctantly" come to the decision as Westminster was too divided going into Brexit negotiations
  • The prime minister needs the backing of two-thirds of MPs to hold the election, with a vote due in the Commons on Wednesday
  • Mrs May told ITV News she made the decision during her recent walking holiday in Wales
  • Opposition party leaders, including Labour's Jeremy Corbyn, have welcomed the announcement
  • Nicola Sturgeon said Mrs May has made a "huge political miscalculation"
  • The pound rose against the dollar following the news
View all 37 updates ›

Brexit and social care concerns 'could influence vote'

An impending Brexit and issues surrounding concerns over social care, health care and education could all be influencing factors when it comes to an early election vote.

According to Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith the PM has called for a snap election as she wants a "strong mandate" to be able to go ahead and make Brexit decisions with the public's backing.

But Labour MP Diane Abbott argued the vote should be "about protecting jobs and living standards" and Lib Dem MP Norman Lamb said "there has to be a focus on the future of our public services" as Britain goes to the polls.

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Live: Theresa May calls for snap General Election on June 8

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