Prime Minister Theresa May has announced a snap general election

Theresa May has called an early general election on the 8th June in an announcement which has stunned Westminster.

The Prime Minister had repeatedly denied that she would call an election before the next scheduled poll in 2020, however, following a Cabinet meeting at Downing Street she said she would go to the country this year.

Speaking outside Number 10, the Prime Minister said the Cabinet had agreed to call an early election.

Justifying the decision, Mrs May said, "The country is coming together but Westminster is not.''

She continued, "division in Westminster will risk our ability to make a success of Brexit."

Explaining her change of heart on an early election, she said, "I have concluded the only way to guarantee certainty and security for years ahead is to hold this election."