Sholto Byrnes, Senior Fellow, Institute of Strategic and International Studies

19-Apr-17 12:32

In a surprise move UK PM Theresa May called for an early general election, proposed for June 8, to strengthen her mandate in executing Brexit as well as to take advantage of a 20 point lead that the Conservative party has in popularity polls.

With the open support of rival political parties, May is likely to get a two-thirds vote in the House of Commons today, demanded by the Fixed-term Parliament Act. 

Detractors say a stronger Parliamentary mandate would mean that almost half the country that voted to Remain can be ignored in the upcoming negotiations with the European Union.