UK parliament votes in favour of early national election

London

PRIME Minister Theresa May called on parliament to back her demand for an early election on Wednesday, saying the vote was a chance to heal divisions in Britain before starting divorce talks with the European Union.

Mrs May surprised allies and opponents on Tuesday when she announced her plan to bring forward an election that was not due until 2020, saying she needed to strengthen her hand in the negotiations which will reshape Britain and Europe.

Addressing a rowdy parliament, she said moving the election would avoid a clash of priorities in the most sensitive final stages of the two-year talks, ignoring criticism from opposition politicians that she was opportunistic and untrustworthy.

"I believe that at this moment of enormous national significance there should be unity here in Westminster, not division," Mrs May told parliament. "That's why it is the right and responsible thing for all of us here today to vote for a general election."…