Europe seeks Brexit clues in UK electionpublished at 15:16 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Image source, Getty ImagesEurope was taken by surprise by Theresa May's announcement, but not taken aback.
Why?
Summary
PM says commitment to spending 0.7% of GDP on foreign aid will remain
Labour focuses on education, blaming the Tories for "super-sized classes"
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron says activists and donors were "flocking" to the party on the back of its anti-Brexit message
Nicola Sturgeon launches council elections manifesto as a "clear choice" between SNP and Tories
The government has ditched controversial probate fee rises ahead of the 8 June election
Europe seeks Brexit clues in UK electionpublished at 15:16 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Image source, Getty ImagesUnison: 'No-one should trust a word the prime minister says'published at 15:15 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter multiple proclamations that there would not be a general election before 2020, Unison general secretary Dave Prentis says the announcement is "further proof no-one should trust a word the prime minister says".
The Labour supporter added: "As the UK prepares to leave the EU, this election must be about the future of our public services, and the spending cuts unleashed over the past seven years.
"The government cannot and must not be given a renewed mandate for further funding squeezes and ending cherished rights at work."
June election: What we know so farpublished at 15:10 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Here's a recap of today's news so far.
- Prime Minister Theresa May says she's seeking to hold a general election on 8 June
- It had been announced in the morning that she would be making a statement outside 10 Downing Street - but not what the content of the message would be
- Mrs May said a snap election would be the only way to "guarantee certainty and stability for the years ahead"
- She reached the decision while on a walking holiday in Wales
- The PM had previously said the next General Election should be in 2020
- Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has welcomed the news, saying he wants to "lead a government that will transform this country"
- Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was a "huge miscalculation" however
- Wales' First Minister Carwyn Jones says the election is "not in the national interest"
- But leaders in Northern Ireland welcomed the news
- Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said the election would be "a chance to change the direction of our country"
- The Conservatives would go into the election with a commanding lead
- Brexit plans won't be affected by the decision, European Council President Donald Tusk's spokesman says
- Here's how the press has reacted to the news
- And you can read Mrs May's statement in full here
Vince Cable to 'lead the fight back'published at 15:03 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
May's election calling has stoked one former MP into action.
After losing his seat in the 2015 election, Lib Dem and former business secretary Vince Cable is back.
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End of twitter postWatch: Kinnock on the 'cabal of Brextremists'published at 14:58 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Media caption, Stephen Kinnock MP: May's talk of a united Westminster 'chilling'
Gerry Adams: 'Sinn Féin is up for that!'published at 14:49 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
The president of Sinn Féin tweets:
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End of twitter postWhat are polls saying ahead of the snap election?published at 14:47 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
The pollsters are already trying to predict who will win the election in just over 50 days time.
Here is our Reality Check to bring you up-to-date.
Image source, PAListen: Is May's timing opportunistic?published at 14:45 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
The World at One
BBC Radio 4Media caption, Will snap general election will strengthen PM's mandate?
Conservative MP Michael Gove is confident the prime minister will secure a majority in the general election and says it will strengthen her Brexit mandate.
But former adviser to ex-Labour leader Ed Miliband, Lord Stewart Wood, says the timing of the election seems "opportunistic".
CWU: 'Fight for fundamental change'published at 14:42 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
The Communication Workers Union has welcomed the announcement and backed Jeremy Corbyn.
CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: "We need a new deal for workers and a country that is run for the millions not the millionaires - this is what we have got to fight for.
"This is also why we have got to get behind Labour and Jeremy Corbyn."
Your reaction: What about Brexit?published at 14:35 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Many of you have been in touch with your reactions to the Prime Minister's announcement this morning.
Brian Turner emailed to say that he supports the decision.
Quote MessageMy only surprise is how long it took for Mrs May to take this step. It seems to me this is a way to curb the antics of Labour, the SNP and the Liberal Democrats from game playing over Brexit. If Mrs May is returned with a much increased majority then that scuppers any further claims for a second referendum on Brexit. It's time for the political shenanigans to stop and we need to concentrate on getting the best deal for the UK from the EU.
However, Richard Blakey got in touch to say he believes it's an opportunity for 'remain' voters to have their say.
Quote MessageChance to show how much at least 48% of voters and many of the 13 million who didn't bother to vote to show how much we hate the way the country was conned into Brexit. I will vote for whoever stands a chance of kicking the Tories out and overturning the referendum.
Get in touch by emailing HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk, external.
Comedian calls on the young to votepublished at 14:34 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Writer of BBC satire 'The Thick of It' Armando Iannucci begs young people to register to vote.
We wonder how Malcolm Tucker would be taking the news right now...
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End of twitter postUKIP supporters 'less likely to vote'published at 14:34 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Analysis from FTI Research show Tory voters are the most loyal, whilst Lib Dems are the most likely to vote for another party.
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End of twitter postMPs to discuss surprise announcement this afternoonpublished at 14:33 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
BBC reporter tweets...
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End of twitter postBusiness fears over government focuspublished at 14:33 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, says there will be concerns from businesses about a shift in focus from the government.
Quote MessageMany business communities will understandably be concerned that attention will inevitably shift from the economy and the intricacies of leaving the EU to a potential election campaign.
Quote MessageFirms will want to be reassured that the key challenges facing the economy will be front and centre throughout any election period."
Your reaction on social mediapublished at 14:30 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
BBC Radio 5 live tweets...
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End of twitter postWhat can we expect from the general election?published at 14:30 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Fleet Street Fox tweets...
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End of twitter postUKIP: 'Hold the Tories feet to the fire'published at 14:29 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
The UKIP group leader in Basildon, Councillor Linda Allport-Hodge, says it is thanks to her party that the country is where it is today.
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End of twitter post'Larry the cat is not dead'published at 14:28 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Image source, @FakeNewsGenSocial media users in the UK are reacting to Prime Minister Theresa May's surprise announcement of a snap general election with memes - naturally.
Vince Cable to stand in electionpublished at 14:27 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
The Lib Dem former business secretary lost his Twickenham seat to the Conservatives in the 2015 general election.
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End of twitter postPM: 'Decision made on holiday in Wales'published at 14:26 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Theresa May revealed that she made the decision to seek an early election while on holiday with her husband.
She told ITV News:
Quote MessageBefore Easter I spent a few days walking in Wales with my husband, thought about this long and hard and came to the decision that to provide that stability and certainty for the future that this was the way to do it, to have an election.