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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 ›

'One of the most extraordinary U-turns in recent history'

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said the calling of a snap General Election is a chance for the Conservatives to "force through a hard Brexit".

Ms Sturgeon tweeted that the move would see the Tories "move the UK to the right" - adding "let's stand up for Scotland".

"This announcement is one of the most extraordinary U-turns in recent political history, and it shows that Theresa May is once again putting the interests of her party ahead of those of the country," Mrs Sturgeon said.

"She is clearly betting that the Tories can win a bigger majority in England given the utter disarray in the Labour Party."

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

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