The snap election has the backing of the public, Tory MP John Redwood has told the BBC's 100 Days programme.

"The polling taken today on Theresa May's decision, backed by Parliament... gets pretty strong endorsement by the public," he said.

"They do accept that the present government needs a new mandate to get on with it and get a better deal [for Brexit] than we would get with the constant [opposition]."

He added that the EU was "bound to try it on" to get a divorce payment from the UK but said the term had no legal basis. 

Image source, Conservative Party

Brenda from Bristol reacts to news that an interview with her about the snap election went viral.

Sinn Fein and the SDLP have not ruled out entering into an anti-Brexit electoral pact to fight the general election. 

Both party leaders have said they are open to talking to other parties about a way to protect Northern Ireland from a hard Brexit, after Northern Ireland voted to remain by a majority of 56% to 44% in last year's EU referendum.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: "If Theresa May wants an election about Brexit, let's show her that people in Northern Ireland don't support a hard Brexit."

Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill said the party wanted to fight the election "very strongly" on the ground of anti-Brexit and anti-austerity policies, so would be "up for discussions" about a possible electoral pact. 

However, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong ruled out entering into any pact.

"That is not how we operate," she said. "People know if they vote Alliance, they will get Alliance. 

"We are standing on our own two feet and putting forward a constructive vision which we believe the public will back."

Speculation is mounting the Plaid leader will stand against Labour's Chris Bryant in the snap poll.

The PM holds her first election campaign event in Bolton. 

Brenda, the 75-year-old internet sensation from Bristol, is back on the BBC to share her views on the snap election.

The retired secretary can't quite believe her new found fame.

But it hasn't stopped her telling people what she thinks about all of Westminster's competitors.

"In my very humble opinion there is hardly anybody in any of the parties you would put your life on the line for," she told BBC's John Kay. 

"We need somebody with a little bit of guts to get us all going."

Image source, Getty Images

The MP for Edgbaston, a leading figure in the campaign to leave the EU, will not be seeking re-election on 8 June. Here's her email to local supporters:

Young voters say they are not bored of elections.

Heading home from work? Here's what happened while you were in the office:

• There's going to be a general election on 8 June. MPs rubber-stamped the plan by 522 to 13 (the SNP abstained)
• Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn gave us a preview of their campaigning soundbites as they clashed in PMQs
• George Osborne will not be seeking re-election as he takes over as Evening Standard editor
• But another fromer Tory chancellor, Ken Clarke, will be standing for election
• The PM has faced criticism from rival parties for refusing to take part in TV debates ahead of the election
• Shadow chancellor John McDonnell suggested people earning above £70,000 a year could pay more tax under a Labour government
• The Cabinet Office has confirmed the Manchester Gorton by-election will be rescheduled - paving the way for it to take place on general election day

Ulster Unionist Party and Democratic Unionist Party will hold talks in next few days.

The Cabinet Office have announced the by-election in Manchester Gorton is set to be rescheduled. It paves the way for the vote to take place on general election day, rather than the original date of 4 May. MPs will have to approve the proposal in the the House of Commons, something which is expected to be a formality.

How did the Brexit timetable affect the decision to call an early general election?

Labour MP Graham Stringer, who opposed the motion calling for an early General Election, claims his party has fallen "into Theresa May's trap" to boost the Tories' majority. 

"The opinion polls might be a few points out but they're not telling a complete lie," he said.

"We have got to spend the next seven weeks getting our policy issues over, they appear to be popular with the public when tested. But I wasn't going to vote to support Theresa May's cynical move to try and increase the Conservatives' majority."

Mr Stringer said he made his mind up after listening to debate within the party, including at Tuesday's meeting of the parliamentary Labour Party (PLP), over whether to back Mrs May's plan.

"If the opinion polls are anything like right, we're falling into Theresa May's trap and we will end up not with no Tory government, but with a Tory government with a bigger majority." 

There are an estimated 750,000 people in the UK who will be able to vote on 8 June for the first time in their lives.

BBC News Channel

Jeremy Corbyn says he wants a Labour government that ensures that carers are properly supported, that people don't wait for hours in A&E departments and do not have under-funded schools.

In his first general election campaign event in Croydon, he insisted: "That's the difference between Labour and the Tories."

The Labour leader says his party wants trade and relations with Europe in the future post Brexit, but will also have a national investment bank that will build railways, improve hospitals and the living standards of the whole country.

"And what's the Tory alternative? To give away £70bn in tax cuts to the rich, big business and corporations between now and 2020.... This election is about the future of all of us," he said.

He added: "I'm delighted to start the campaign in London, right here in Croydon - I'll be here again when we win Croydon Central and we have a Labour MP here to deliver for the people of Croydon."