Political reporter(wp/es):
David Cameron has praised Theresa May’s “brave” decision to call a snap general election following her shock announcement this morning.
The former Prime Minister hailed her for making the “brave – and right – decision” adding in an tweet: “My very best wishes to all Conservative candidates”.
The Prime Minister made an announcement outside Downing Street shortly after 11am when she said: “We need a general election and we need one now.”
"I have concluded the only way to guarantee certainty and security for years ahead is to hold this election," she added.
Chancellor Philip Hammond also commended Mrs May for making the “right decision”, writing that it is “in the national interest to call a general election, strengthening PM’s negotiating hand in Europe”.
He added: “PM's decision ensures strong leadership, certainty & stability.”
Tory MP and former Cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith joined in praising the decision and described the move as “bold, strong [and] serious”.
He told the BBC the decision was “not about Brexit" adding: "It's about electing a government with a strong mandate, to both get on with Brexit but also to carry on with normal domestic business.
"The Labour party has its own particular problems and I suspect there'll be a number of Labour MPs who will want also to see this general election for internal reasons.
"But the reality is for Theresa May this is a bold, strong, serious decision made by somebody who has complete confidence in their leadership."
Other Tory MPs backed the announcement and rallied around for campaign volunteers.
Tory MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire Stephen Crabb tweeted: “Sun is shining. Perfect moment for an election. Let's go.”
Another Conservative, Nadhim Zahawi, MP for Stratford-on-Avon, added: “Parliament needs to be united behind our Prime Minister as she negotiates a great deal for the UK - this is the right decision.”
The leader of the opposition and leaders of other political parties also joined in backing the snap election – due to take place on June 8.
Jeremy Corbyn released a statement saying he “welcomed” the decision and said: “Labour will be offering the country an effective alternative to a Government that has failed to rebuild the economy, delivered falling living standards and damaging cuts to our schools and NHS.”
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said the election would provide British people with a “chance to change the direction of our country”.
And Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas welcomed an early vote at a time when "Britain is at a crossroads" and promised the Greens would present a "bold, positive vision for a different kind of Britain".
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