General election 2017: Campaigning continues

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

Live Reporting

Emma Harrison and Alex Kleiderman

More than 1,000 people join Labour todaypublished at 14:21 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Opposition parties are claiming rises in membership in the few hours since the general election was announced.
Earlier, the Liberal Democrats, now...
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Campaign fashionpublished at 14:19 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
The Democratic Unionist Party's Phillip Logan tweets:
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Jonathan Bartley: 'We wanted the prime minister to do it'published at 14:19 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Media caption,
Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley on the 8 June general election timing
The co-leader of the Green Party says he is willing to work with other parties in the future, and that they are "distinctive" from Labour and the Lib Dems.
Diane Abbott: 'This is an election to fight and win'published at 14:18 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
The World at One
BBC Radio 4
The shadow home secretary has said Labour is "ready for this general election now".
Diane Abbott told Martha Kearney "I believe the British public will come behind us".
Sadiq Khan: 'I'll be fighting hard'published at 14:11 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
The Mayor of London tweets...
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In pictures: Downing Street announcementpublished at 14:11 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, PA
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Will election be child's play?published at 14:08 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
BBC political correspondent tweets...
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'Tory interests put before country's' - UKIP deputypublished at 14:08 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
BBC Radio 5 live
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Peter Whittle, Deputy Leader of UKIP
Calling a snap election is a "very cynical move", says UKIP deputy leader Peter Whittle.
He told BBC Radio 5 live it was "unnecessary and basically putting the Tory party and its interests before the country's".
Asked whether Nigel Farage might stand in the general election, Mr Whittle said: "Nigel might well stand in the general election. I hope he does."
Listen: Snap election 'came as a surprise' - Evanspublished at 14:01 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
BBC Radio 5 live
Conservative MP Nigel Evans has told BBC Radio 5 live the snap general election announcement from Theresa May “came as much as a surprise to me as it is to your listeners”.
The Ribble Valley MP and former Leave campaigner said he was amazed nothing about the “political earthquake”… leaked over the weekend”.
Media caption,
Nigel Evans: General election announcement from Theresa May 'came as a surprise to me'.
Watch: SNP's Nicola Sturgeon on early electionpublished at 14:01 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
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Nicola Sturgeon: 'PM wants to crush opposition'
Angus Robertson: 'A straight fight in Scotland'published at 13:58 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
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Caroline Lucas: 'Let's do this'published at 13:56 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
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The co-leader of the Green Party makes her pitch to UK voters on Twitter.
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Douglas Carswell: 'Job done'published at 13:55 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
The former UKIP MP reiterates his point that voting for his party helped ensure Brexit.
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What is Larry the cat's future?published at 13:52 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
The chief mouser appears to be pondering his career options.
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Business reacts to snap electionpublished at 13:50 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Business leaders have reacted to the news of a planned early general election.
Mike Cherry, of the Federation of Small Businesses, says:
Quote Message
While the prime minister’s announcement today is a surprise, an election campaign will offer the opportunity for small business issues to be discussed by all political parties.
Listen: 'Not comfortable, not easy but right decision'published at 13:48 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
The World at One
BBC Radio 4
The Secretary of State for leaving the European Union, David Davis, has said this snap election will give Theresa May the mandate she needs to bring Westminster together and fight for the right Brexit deal.
Mr Davis defended the prime minister's decision to call a general election, calling it "not comfortable, not easy, but the right decision".
Election a 'cyncial decision', says UKIPpublished at 13:47 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
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UKIP leader Paul Nuttall says, external he welcomes the "opportunity to take UKIP's positive message to the country".
He adds: "However, we believe that the prime minister's decision to call this election is a cynical decision driven more by the weakness of Corbyn's Labour Party rather than the good of the country."
What the odds on the election results?published at 13:43 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
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Keep economic distractions to minimum - CBIpublished at 13:41 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Carolyn Fairbairn, director general of the CBI, says:
Quote Message
With a snap general election now called, businesses will be looking to each political party to set out their plans to support economic stability and prosperity over the next parliament in a way that is fair and sustainable for communities across the UK. Distraction from the urgent priorities of seeking the best EU deal and improving UK productivity must be kept to a minimum.
Uncertain times at Stormontpublished at 13:39 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Image source, AFP
The BBC's Eimear Flanagan says that in Northern Ireland, the prime minister's plan to call a snap general election is a "sharp U-turn that could throw Stormont's faltering institutions even further off course".