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

Cameron: 'Brave and right decision'published at 11:52 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Former prime minister David Cameron tweets his support
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SNP: 'Straight choice between us and Tories'published at 11:51 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
SNP politicians in Edinburgh and Westminster give their reaction.
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Corbyn 'welcomes PM's decision'published at 11:43 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Breaking
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says: "I welcome the Prime Minister's decision to give the British people the chance to vote for a government that will put the interests of the majority first."
Labour will vote for snap electionpublished at 11:41 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg says the opposition will vote to go ahead with 8th June eletion.
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Tory MPs: 'Perfect moment'published at 11:41 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Conservative MPs react with optimism, speculation, and an appeal for volunteers.
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'Bold, strong, serious decision'published at 11:39 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Tory MP and former Cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith says Mrs May's move to hold an early general election "is not about Brexit".
He adds: "It's about electing a government with a strong mandate, to both get on with Brexit but also to carry on with normal domestic business.
He also described Labour's position of being far behind in the polls as a "secondary issue".
"The Labour party has its own particular problems and I suspect there'll be a number of Labour MPs who will want also to see this general election for internal reasons.
"But the reality is for Theresa May this is a bold, strong, serious decision made by somebody who has complete confidence in their leadership."
John Curtice: Many of Labour's seats are safepublished at 11:33 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University says the average of all of the latest opinion polls had the Conservatives on 42% and Labour 27% - enough to give Theresa May a "quite substantial majority".
But he said that although Labour is in a "dire position" in the polls, many of their seats are safe ones.
He also pointed out that Mrs May's strategy of calling on the electorate to vote for her vision of Brexit could make "some Conservative voters unhappy".
Watch: No comment from Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt in Downing Streetpublished at 11:31 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Norman Smith
Assistant political editor
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Labour MPs: Fight or flight?published at 11:31 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Tom Blenkinsop says he will not be seeking re-election as MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.
Stella Creasy, however, appeals to her Walthamstow constituents.
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Minister 'unaware of election'published at 11:29 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Laura Kuenssberg
BBC political editor
Tim Farron: 'Your chance to change direction'published at 11:20 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
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'Political game playing'published at 11:19 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
The PM says the country is coming together, but Westminster remains divided.
"In recent weeks Labour have threatened to vote against the final agreement we reach with the European Union.
"The Liberal Democrats said they want to grind the business of government to a standstill.
"The Scottish National Party say they will vote against the legislation that formally repeals Britain's membership of the European Union.
"And un-elected members of the House of Lords have vowed to fight us every step of the way.
"If we do not hold a general election now, their political game playing will continue."
Watch: PM announces UK general election on 8 Junepublished at 11:17 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
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MPs to vote on electionpublished at 11:16 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
The prime minister says she will move a motion for an early election in the House of Commons tomorrow, for MPs to vote on. It will require a two-thirds majority to be carried.
'Election unlike any in modern times' says Marrpublished at 11:14 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Andrew Marr
Presenter, The Andrew Marr Show
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'Certainty and stability'published at 11:12 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Theresa May says that the only way to "guarantee certainty and stability for the years ahead is to hold this election and seek your support for the decisions I must take".
May makes election announcementpublished at 11:09 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Theresa May is setting out her reasons for calling a general election, saying it is in the national interest.
May calls snap general electionpublished at 11:06 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Theresa May calls a snap general election to be held on 8 June.
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg tweets:published at 10:59 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Laura Kuenssberg
BBC political editor
Theresa May told Marr no 'snap election'published at 10:56 British Summer Time 18 April 2017
Back in September, the prime minister was very clear about her position on snap elections to the BBC's Andrew Marr.
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