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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 ›

Jeremy Corbyn 'welcomes' General Election decision

Jeremy Corbyn has said he "welcomes" Theresa May's decision to call a snap General Election on June 8.

The Labour leader 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."

In his statement, he added: "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."

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

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