British Prime Minister Theresa May has stunned the UK political world by calling for an early general election, seeking a stronger mandate in talks over leaving the European Union.
In an unexpected statement at Downing Street, May said she was seeking a vote on June 8, less than halfway through the government's five-year term.
May, who commands only a slim majority in parliament's lower House of Commons, said that a new mandate would strengthen her hand in negotiations in Brexit talks. Her decision is a reversal of policy -- a month ago, her spokesman said there would not be an early election.
A general election would end the attempts of opposition parties and members of the House of Lords to thwart her Brexit plans, she said. "If we do not hold a general election now, their political game playing will continue," she said.
"There should be unity here in Westminster, but instead there is division. The country is coming together, but Westminster is not," she added. "We need a general election and we need one now."
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May announces she will seek an early election.
May said she would move a motion on Wednesday in the in the House of Commons calling for a vote on June 8.
Under legislation introduced by her predecessor, David Cameron, an early election requires the support of two-thirds of MPs in the House of Commons.
She called on voters to throw their support behind her Conservative Party, adding that "every vote for the Conservatives will make me stronger" in Brexit talks.
The Conservative Party only has a slim majority in the House of Commons, holding 330 of the 650 seats.
May is expected to win an increased number of seats -- opinion polls show the opposition Labour Party, led by Jeremy Corbyn, at record low levels.
Opposition welcomes vote
May came to power last July in the wake of the British vote to leave the EU, which led to Cameron's resignation. She has repeatedly said that the decision cannot be reversed, and has pursued a hard line on those who have argued for a phased withdrawal or a loose, continued association with the EU.
But Brexit has diviced in the House across party lines, and MPs from marginal parties continue to show opposition to the withdrawal. There are also divisions within her own party over Brexit strategies.

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