Snap UK general election to be held on June 8

British prime minister Theresa May has called an early general election for June 8, despite repeatedly claiming that she was against the idea of an early vote.

In a surprise statement outside Downing Street on Tuesday morning, the prime minister claimed that opposition parties were jeopardising her government’s preparations for Brexit.

 "I have just chaired a meeting of the Cabinet, where we agreed that the Government should call a general election, to be held on June 8," the Independent cited her as saying.

“We need a general election and we need one now,” May said. “I have only recently and reluctantly come to this conclusion but now I have concluded it is the only way to guarantee certainty for the years ahead.”