Leeds MPs prepare for upcoming snap General Election

The Prime Minister, Theresa May, has faced the Commons after she made the shock announcement on Tuesday, despite having previously said there would be no General Election until 2020.

The Prime Minster says she changed her mind on an election, because she wants to strengthen her hand during Brexit negotiations.

Now, Leeds's 8 MPs are responding to the announcement - saying they'll be looking to defend their seats during the next few weeks of campaigning.

Greg Mulholland, sitting Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West, says he will be asking his constituency to put their trust in him for the 4th time - having first been elected in 2005.

I want to carry on being a champion for Leeds North West, a campaigner for change and also to be part of a real opposition in Westminster. Together we can send a clear message that the Government needs to listen and bring the country together, not divide it.

Newcomer Andrea Jenkyns, who was the Conservative candidate for Morley in 2015 who narrowly defeating Labour heavyweight Ed Balls, says she welcomes the decision.

It's set to be one of the tightest seats to be contended in the city, with a vote margin of just 422 2 years ago.

Andrea Jenkyns says: "I am proud to be a member of parliament for a party that thinks our best days lie ahead. I want to see us building new relationships, a truly global Britain that looks to new markets and sees new opportunities for trade. We need to look beyond the borders of Europe and re-establish relationships with the Commonwealth and emerging markets that we have neglected for too long."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn insists he'll "campaign to win" a snap general election, despite Labour languishing in the opinion polls.Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has welcomed Theresa May's decision to call a snap election, saying his party would offer an "effective alternative."

Labour MP for East Leeds, Richard Burgon, believes this a time for Leeds to stand up to Westminster, having said "people in East Leeds have been treated like dirt by this Conservative Government."

Distinguishing concerns about Labour's position in the polls, he told Radio Aire the party is always ready for an election at any point - and says personally he's "committed to standing again and continuing to stand up for the people and communities in East who deserve better than this Conservative Government."

Some of our MP's took to Twitter to announce their decision to stand again, including Labour's Rachel Reeves who represents East Leeds and Conservative MP for Rothwell and Emlet, Alec Shelbrooke.

Hilary Benn, Labour MP for Leeds Central who holds the biggest majority, has said he looks forward "to taking Labour's message to the electors of Leeds Central".

Conservative MP for Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough, Stuart Andrew, also confirmed to Radio Aire that he'll be standing again, adding that the Prime Minister has a strong case for calling a snap General Election.

Leeds North East and Labour MP, Fabian Hamilton, hasn't yet confirmed or denied if he will be standing as a candidate for the 2017 Election.