House of Commons
Parliament

Conservative Alberto Costa asks the first question at PMQs on the forthcoming general election and says: "Who else in this House can provide the leadership that is needed at this time?"

Theresa May says the country needs a strong economy, strong leadership. "We will be out there fighting for every vote," she said, while Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn would "bankrupt our economy".

The Daily Politics

BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg says she expects there will only be two more prime minister's questions - today and next week.

Commenting on the Fixed Term Parliament Act - which is expected to be overturned in the Commons today - Laura said this had been very important for the stability of the coalition between David Cameron's Conservatives and Nick Clegg's Lib Dems.

Laura says Brexit is the "context" of this election. "I think both the parties are going to go into this with pretty flimsy manifestos," she added.

Newspapers debate whether Theresa May made the right decision in calling a snap election.

Andrew Neil
Presenter, The Daily Politics

House of Commons
Parliament

The SNP's Westminster leader, Angus Robertson, says that Scotland under an SNP government has free university tuition, prescriptions and eye care.

He claims the SNP's record in Scotland "stands in marked contrast to the Tories' mismanagement and destruction of public services south of the border".

Scottish Secretary David Mundell says there are falling education standards and rising NHS waiting times in Scotland.

He accuses the SNP of not concentrating on "the day job" and instead pursuing its "obsession" of independence.

Mr Robertson mocks Mr Mundell for "quotes about doing the day job when you're calling an early general election".

Andrew Neil
Presenter, The Daily Politics

House of Commons
Parliament

The Commons sits in a few minutes' time for questions to Scotland Office ministers.

That is followed at noon by the penultimate PMQs clash of the current Parliament.

Conservative MP David Burrowes introduces a ten minute rule bill, then MPs have their chance to debate and vote on the motion to permit an early general election.

The debate can last for up to 90 minutes. If the motion is opposed, a vote would be expected sometime after 2pm.

Jo Coburn
Daily Politics presenter

There is no legal power for Manchester's returning officer to cancel the by-election scheduled to take place on 4 May following the death of Labour veteran Sir Gerald Kaufman.

Joanne Roney said in a statement that she had been "in active discussions" with the government and the Electoral Commission about the implications for the Manchester Gorton by-election, given that Parliament is set to be dissolved for a General Election.

Sir Gerald Kaufman, who was also Father of the House - the Commons oldest MP - died aged 86 in February.

The by-election had been due to take place on 4 May - the date of the local elections and the same day as the first election of a mayor for Greater Manchester.

But in a statement, Ms Roney said: "Legal advice has confirmed that as (Acting) Returning Officer I have no power in law to cancel the by-election in these circumstances.

"This matter has therefore been raised with parliamentary authorities to clarify the position as a matter of urgency should Parliament vote for an 8 June General Election later today." 

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

A co-chair of the pro-Brexit campaign group, Vote Leave, and Labour MP has said it is "unlikely" Labour will win the election to form a government. 

However, Gisela Stuart told Radio 4's Today programme she hopes for a "strong representation of the Labour party in the House of Commons". 

She said: "I think it will be safest when you have got all the voices represented."  

BBC News Channel

Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary University London, says Theresa May's decision not to take part in a live TV debate is "a sensible move".

He says these events "take an awfully long time to prepare for" and "can only do her damage".

Prof Bale said Labour's problem is that its working class vote is shrinking - "but the short term problem is Jeremy Corbyn".

Asked if he was surprised by Mrs May's decision to call a general election, he said: "I had thought she would wait until at least the local elections to test the waters."

A Conservative MP who has been battling cancer has said he will stand again for election on 8 June.

Nick Boles, the MP for Grantham and Stamford, said recent scans showed the cancer had been eradicated and he was on the road to a full recovery.

The former minister disclosed in October last year that doctors had found a cancerous tumour in his head.

He had previously been treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2007.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Mr Boles said: 

People earning above £70,000 a year could be asked to pay more tax under a Labour government, shadow chancellor John McDonnell has suggested.

He said he wanted to see a "fair taxation system" with corporations and the rich paying more.

Labour is also planning to link senior executives' pay to the average wage of the workers in the same company.

Mr McDonnell said a fair taxation system would see "the corporations and the rich pay their way more".

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