- Title: WRAP: British PM May calls for an early election to strengthen Brexit hand
- Date: 18th April 2017
- Summary: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (APRIL 18, 2017) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WALKING IN CANARY WHARF AREA, PART OF FINANCIAL DISTRICT REUTERS NEWS TICKER ANNOUNCING MAY'S CALL FOR EARLY ELECTION (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRUNO PAULSON, SAYING: "It makes perfect sense, if you are 21 percent ahead in the polls you take the chance, rather than sitting around with a majority of twelve and having bits of your budget shelved." (SOUNDBITE) (English) ANDY BOTTOM, SAYING: "I think it's a good move on her part. I suspect it will now put in one place all the arguments around Brexit and whether it should go back to parliament for authorisation and that sort of stuff, because the country will now speak again." (SOUNDBITE) (English) BOB GILBERT, SAYING: "We think she is doing it deliberately when the opposition is very weak and when there is no credible alternative and we think it is bad news for the country."
- Embargoed: 2nd May 2017 14:36
- Keywords: Theresa May Election UK Brexit Tories Europe Euro Brussels European Union Labour Liberal Democrats Scotland Scottish Independence Corbyn Sturgeon
- Location: LONDON AND EDINBURGH, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: LONDON AND EDINBURGH, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA0036CXETZB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A WRAP OF EDITS THAT HAVE ALREADY MOVED ON THE SERVICE AND DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY FRESH VIDEO
British Prime Minister Theresa May called on Tuesday (April 18) for an early election on June 8, saying she needed to strengthen her hand in divorce talks with the European Union by shoring up support for her Brexit plan.
The opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn welcomed the snap election, saying voters would be able to judge the government's failed economic agenda which had left the NHS and schools underfunded and that Labour would put a case for a society, economy and a Brexit plan that was fair and worked for all.
The Scottish Nationalist leader Nicola Sturgeon said May wanted to take advantage of a weak opposition and move the UK in an increasingly right-wing direction with more austerity and deeper cuts.
In Canary Wharf, part of London's financial district, some were surprised by her move and opinion was mixed on the benefits for the country. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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