Views from Darlington town centre on the snap General Election on June 8

Ken Davison, 73, from Middlesbrough, described Mrs May's decision as "wise" and predicted victory for the Conservatives at the polls.

He said: "It gives certainty one way or the other. She either has a bigger majority or it's someone else's problem.

"The polls in the past have been notoriously wrong. But she has that much of a lead now, I think she should get in with an increased majority."

Ken Davison

When asked why he thought Mrs May called an election so soon, Tom Kilfeather, 66, of Middleton Tyas, said: "Because it's good for the party. I don't think it's for anything else, really."

Christine Kilfeather, 60, also of Middleton Tyas, said: "I think she has made a good move. I think she needs to do it to clear the air."

Christine and Tom Kilfeather

Josh Walker, 26, a store manager from Darlington, said: “I think it’s to prove a point. There’s a diversion side to it to, trying to distract the public from Brexit.”

Josh Walker

Mark Hall, 27, of Newton Aycliffe doesn't intend to vote. He said: "I am completely impartial. Not that big on either party. Both identical."

He also believed Brexit was a motivation for the decision, and added: "(It's) probably so she can skip past all the Brexit stuff."

Mark Hall

Ken Clark, retired, from Richmond, intends to vote Conservative. He said: "I think she (Theresa May) is in a strong political position. There's probably a gain for her and its probably a good idea to settle the Brexit issue once and for all.

"I think Theresa May will win. She has a very good chance."

Ken Clark

David Smith, 63, from Stockton, is a Labour Party member who is concerned how his party might get on at the polls. He said: "There's a major worry that Labour could come out of this very badly. I don't want to see the party I love being given a good kicking."

Mr Smith intends to vote Labour, but said a North South divide exists over the party's leadership. He said: "I think possibly London-centric people are more into Corbyn than people in our area.

David Smith

"I will be voting Labour with a clothes peg on my nose, as Polly Toynbee would say."

Ellen Jones, 18, a student from Darlington also thinks disunity in the Labour Party has influenced Mrs May's timing. She said: "The public doesn’t trust Labour to get the Brexit that people want, so she’s done it because she’s so ahead in the polls.”

Ellen Jones