THE Government has announced it is seeking to hold a General Election on June 8.

Making the surprise announcement outside 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister Theresa May said: "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."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said following the announcement: "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."

Theresa May added outside Downing Street: "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."

Members of Parliament have reacted on social media to the news of a snap general election called by Theresa May this morning.

Andy Burnham, the Labour MP for Leith who ran for leadership of the Labour Party in 2015, accused the Prime Minister and the Conservatives of putting the party's interests "before the national interest".

Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, echoed Mr Burnham's statement, saying: "So much for putting party before country".

Douglas Carswell, who defected as a Conservative MP to Ukip in 2014 before quitting Ukip in March, said: "If you voted UKIP in 2015, it's job done".

Deputy leader of the Scottish National Party Angus Robertson, said: "Whatever happened to 'now is not the time'? UK General Election: 8th June. Straight choice in Scotland between @theSNP and Tories. #VoteSNP".

SNAP ELECTION - Q&A

Can the Prime Minister call a General Election?

Before the 2011 Fixed Term Parliament Act (FTPA) the Prime Minister could simply “call an election”. This was effectively the PM exercising the royal prerogative: no parliamentary vote was needed, it was the PM’s decision. This power was transferred to the House ofC Commons under the FTPA, which was introduced by the 2010 Coalition government. On paper it is no longer the Prime Minister’s decision.

Does that means elections cannot be earlier than every five years?

No, there are two ways under the FTPA that an election can be called ahead of schedule. The first is if two thirds of MPs vote to hold an election. This is a very high bar and would in practice require both Labour and Conservative support. The second is if there is a no confidence vote in the government of the day. After such a vote other parties are given 14 days to form another government. If none can be formed, a new election is held. 

Could the Government declare ‘no confidence’ in itself?

On paper, a majority government could, by a simple vote, declare no confidence in itself, which would only have to be won by a simple majority 51 per cent. Mrs May will almost certainly achieve this by asking her own MPs to vote for an early election. Opposition MPs would find it almost impossible to vote against the chance of getting rid of the government, despite the vulnerability of many of their own seats.