British PM calls June 8 election to raise Conservative majority

London

IN a lightning, unexpected move, British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday called a snap UK election to counter Brexit divisions in parliament and provide "certainty and stability".

In the past few months, polls have shown that the majority of the nation - even those who had voted to remain in the European Union (EU) - wanted Mrs May and her Brexit team to get on with the negotiations and obtain the best possible result. For example, a snap poll of The Times - which has consistently backed "remain" - shows that 73 per cent of readers agree with the election decision "to have a strong mandate" to negotiate.