Britain's May wins parliament's backing for June 8 snap election

[webfact]

Britain's May wins parliament's backing for June 8 snap election

By Elizabeth Piper and Kylie MacLellan

REUTERS

 

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks to the media outside 10 Downing Street, in central London, Britain April 18, 2017. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May won parliament's backing for an early election on Wednesday, a vote she said would strengthen her hand in divorce talks with the European Union and help heal divisions in Britain.

 

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 avoid a clash of priorities in the sensitive final stages of the two-year Brexit talks.

 

After addressing a rowdy session of the House of Commons, May won the support of 522 lawmakers in the 650-seat parliament for an election on June 8. Only 13 voted against.

 

With May seen winning a new five-year mandate and boosting her majority in parliament by perhaps 100 seats, the pound held close to six-and-a-half month highs on hopes she may be able to clinch a smoother, more phased departure from the EU and minimise damage to the UK economy.

 

"I believe that at this moment of enormous national significance there should be unity here in Westminster, not division," she said.

 

"A general election will provide the country with five years of strong and stable leadership to see us through the negotiations and ensure we are able to go on to make a success as a result, and that is crucial."

 

The former interior minister, who became prime minister without an election when her predecessor David Cameron quit after last year's referendum vote for Brexit, enjoys a runaway lead over the main opposition Labour Party in opinion polls.

 

She has also played up the strength of the economy, which has so far defied predictions of a slowdown - a key campaign theme that her Conservative Party will use to try to undermine Labour in the election.

 

A victory would give May a powerful mandate extending until 2022, long enough to cover the Brexit negotiations plus a possible transition period into new trading arrangements with the EU.

 

The Sun, Britain's top-selling newspaper, splashed the headline "Blue Murder" - a reference to the Conservatives' party colour and the prospect of Labour losing dozens of seats.

 

RELUCTANT

 

May formally notified the European Union on March 29 of Britain's intention to leave, and has said she is confident of reaching a deal on the terms of withdrawal in the two years available.

 

She said on Tuesday she had "reluctantly" come to the decision to call for an early election because of political division in Westminster, criticising opposition parties for trying to thwart her plans for leaving the EU.

 

"What do we know that the leader of the Labour Party, the leader of the Liberal Democrats and the leader of the Scottish nationalists have in common?" she asked parliament.

 

"They want to unite together to divide our country and we will not let them do it."

 

But for Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, the move was a "huge political miscalculation" that could help the Scottish National Party's efforts to hold an independence vote.

 

"If the SNP wins this election in Scotland and the Tories (Conservatives) don't, then Theresa May's attempt to block our mandate to give the people of Scotland a choice over their own future when the time is right will crumble to dust," said Sturgeon, who heads Scotland's devolved government.

 

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn set the tone for his campaign by criticising May for her "broken promises" on healthcare and education, and jabbed at her for not agreeing to take part in television debates before the election.

 

May, who has described herself as "not a showy politician", said she would rather talk directly to voters.

 

"I will be debating these issues publicly across the country," she told parliament. "We will be taking a proud record of a Conservative government, but more than that we will taking our plans for the future of this country."

 

(Additional reporting by William James and Estelle Shirbon, Editing by Mark Trevelyan)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-04-20

[Laughing Gravy]

No surprises there. I have never voted for the tory party before but I will be this time, so they can get on and deliver on Brexit and get us out of the EU. After watching some of the UK news there seems to be quite a few others who feel the same way, as once traditional Labour voters.

I will be happy after the 8th June and then hopefully the remoaners will get behind the government and start supporting and uniting the country for an EU exit.

[terryw]

I fully support the reasons why TM decided to call an Election. The Remoaners need to shut and help the government deliver Brexit.

However, Elections are about other issues and for our democracy to work we need an opposition to challenge the government.

Sadly we have a situation where the current Labour party is a rabble with no coherent leadership.

[impulse]

Oooh.  This could get good if it goes the other way.

[elgordo38]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

Oooh.  This could get good if it goes the other way.

Sorry I think its a slam dunk and she knows it. It will put her over the finish line as far as her fat pension is concerned and really what else matters to a politician helping the people?? Horse pucky

[Joedoebarinio]

Jeremy Corbyn is up for the fight, Tim Fallon said he's looking forward to the fight, Theresa May started the fight and Nicola Sturgeon wants to fight every body. 

[impulse]

1 hour ago, elgordo38 said:

Sorry I think its a slam dunk and she knows it. It will put her over the finish line as far as her fat pension is concerned and really what else matters to a politician helping the people?? Horse pucky

 

Just like Cameron knew Brexit would fail?

[elgordo38]

2 hours ago, Joedoebarinio said:

Jeremy Corbyn is up for the fight, Tim Fallon said he's looking forward to the fight, Theresa May started the fight and Nicola Sturgeon wants to fight every body. 

Its politico speak for I am shi**ing my pants but I must keep a brave face. Its the number one rule of all politicians keep a brave face and spin the sh*t to make each of the above look like a salable product to voters winner (of sorts). You the voter have had a chance to kick their tires many times over the years. If you kick hard enough you will be engulfed by hot air. 

[vogie]

3 hours ago, Joedoebarinio said:

Jeremy Corbyn is up for the fight, Tim Fallon said he's looking forward to the fight, Theresa May started the fight and Nicola Sturgeon wants to fight every body. 

Jeremy Corbyn and Tim but Dim are definately fighting under their weight againgst T May. 

[Pikeybkk]

She better win, cant wait for a brit free europe....lol, only joking lads, think she has it pretty well won already , judging by the polls. Always acurate they are. Lets hope snp get their chance to exit too.....

[Retiredandhappyhere]

On 4/20/2017 at 1:33 PM, elgordo38 said:

Sorry I think its a slam dunk and she knows it. It will put her over the finish line as far as her fat pension is concerned and really what else matters to a politician helping the people?? Horse pucky

To even suggest that her decision is to ensure a fat pension is absolute rubbish and you know it!  I can understand your reluctance to fully trust many politicians, but your assertion in this particular case is outrageous.  All her actions and statements so far clearly demonstrate that she intends to do the best for Britain in the Brexit negotiations and, in my humble opinion, she is the best "man" for the job.  

 

A previous incumbent comes to mind who also proved that she too was the best "man" for the job when taking on the all-powerful unions when previous (male) P.M.s lacked the courage to do so.  Despite being heartily disliked by many, and hated by some, she managed to heal the "sick man of Europe" as Britain had become known.

 

In a completely different context, I believe Theresa May will ensure the best possible Brexit deal for Britain, while ensuring that Nicola's dreams for an independent Scotland remain just that....dreams, and that in the long term, free of all the EU edicts and costs, Britain will be more prosperous and a better place to live.

 

I

 

 

[JAG]

Parliament may have given it's approval, but has Gina Miller?

[billd766]

50 minutes ago, JAG said:

Parliament may have given it's approval, but has Gina Miller?

 

Gina who?

 

What party does she represent?

 

Is she someone important that we should care about and respect?

[ilostmypassword]

19 minutes ago, billd766 said:

 

Gina who?

 

What party does she represent?

 

Is she someone important that we should care about and respect?

google is your friend

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gina_Miller

[elgordo38]

4 hours ago, Retiredandhappyhere said:

To even suggest that her decision is to ensure a fat pension is absolute rubbish and you know it!  I can understand your reluctance to fully trust many politicians, but your assertion in this particular case is outrageous.  All her actions and statements so far clearly demonstrate that she intends to do the best for Britain in the Brexit negotiations and, in my humble opinion, she is the best "man" for the job.  

 

A previous incumbent comes to mind who also proved that she too was the best "man" for the job when taking on the all-powerful unions when previous (male) P.M.s lacked the courage to do so.  Despite being heartily disliked by many, and hated by some, she managed to heal the "sick man of Europe" as Britain had become known.

 

In a completely different context, I believe Theresa May will ensure the best possible Brexit deal for Britain, while ensuring that Nicola's dreams for an independent Scotland remain just that....dreams, and that in the long term, free of all the EU edicts and costs, Britain will be more prosperous and a better place to live.

 

I

 

 

In the end the previous incumbent got her just deserts looking into a mirror towards the end. Life has a way of delivering just deserts. Politicians are very cunning they make it appear that they are doing good for the country and its people but in the end its all about what benefits them at the end of the line. Tony Blair was and is a good example. Your just "rubbish" phrase is rather indicative of your Conservative leanings and thats OK everybody is entitled to an opinion and I respect yours but don't come at me in such a trashy rubbish manner. Your not the only one in the world with an "opinion." Get rid of your rubbish manner and approach things in a humane social friendly manner. Your superiority complex is showing. 

[citybiker]

Oooh.  This could get good if it goes the other way.

If it goes the other way, there's going to be a hell of a mess to clear up.

Corbyn, would you honestly allow this man to represent the UK on the global stage?

A strong, positive and strategic Brexit is what the UK needs right now, not some protestor come Benny Hill plastic politician controlled by the Union cartel's.


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[Khun Han]

5 minutes ago, citybiker said:

 

If it goes the other way, there's going to be a hell of a mess to clear up.

Corbyn, would you honestly allow this man to represent the UK on the global stage?

A strong, positive and strategic Brexit is what the UK needs right now, not some protestor come Benny Hill plastic politician controlled by the Union cartel's.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

 

The Labour party has been stuck between a rock and a hard place for a looooong time. The parliamentary wing is infested with Blairite 'soundbite'  yuppies with no moral compass, who might as well be  Liberal Democrats . The constituency wing is infested with the purple-haired nose-ring brigade which got Corbyn into the box seat, What a bloody mess!

[citybiker]

 
The Labour party has been stuck between a rock and a hard place for a looooong time. The parliamentary wing is infested with Blairite 'soundbite'  yuppies with no moral compass, who might as well be  Liberal Democrats . The constituency wing is infested with the purple-haired nose-ring brigade which got Corbyn into the box seat, What a bloody mess!

Which is probably the reason why Sturgeon offered a 'fig leaf coalition' proposal, along with that moonbat Tim Farron.

I admire TM in that she's the opposite of Cameron in many ways, since taking office despite her flaws she's given a clear defining focus on her objectives & overall aim, and not given a running commentary is a wise tactic, only speaking when necessary thus giving more weight to what she actually says, although i remain cautious to the June 8th GE for now.


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[citybiker]

 
The Labour party has been stuck between a rock and a hard place for a looooong time. The parliamentary wing is infested with Blairite 'soundbite'  yuppies with no moral compass, who might as well be  Liberal Democrats . The constituency wing is infested with the purple-haired nose-ring brigade which got Corbyn into the box seat, What a bloody mess!

Which is probably the reason why Sturgeon offered a 'fig leaf coalition' proposal, along with that moonbat Tim Farron.

I admire TM in that she's the opposite of Cameron in many ways, since taking office despite her flaws she's given a clear defining focus on her objectives & overall aim, and not given a running commentary is a wise tactic, only speaking when necessary thus giving more weight to what she actually says, although i remain cautious to the June 8th GE for now.


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[JAG]

 

Which is probably the reason why Sturgeon offered a 'fig leaf coalition' proposal, along with that moonbat Tim Farron.

 

I admire TM in that she's the opposite of Cameron in many ways, since taking office despite her flaws she's given a clear defining focus on her objectives & overall aim, and not given a running commentary is a wise tactic, only speaking when necessary thus giving more weight to what she actually says, although i remain cautious to the June 8th GE for now.

 

 

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Oh I say, "moonbat" is a bit unkind. He seems a cheerful little chappie, a sort of latter day George Formby , seems to pop up quite regularly on the BBC Radio 4 news.

Living here one gets so out of touch - what does he do exactly?

 

[billd766]

10 hours ago, ilostmypassword said:

google is your friend

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gina_Miller

 

Just my attempt at a little humour and sarcasm.

 

She represents nobody really and IMHO is an attention getter with no rights to speak for the population at all. She has had her 15 minutes of fame and should now sink back into the obscurity from whence she came.

 

 

[Khun Han]

3 hours ago, JAG said:

Oh I say, "moonbat" is a bit unkind. He seems a cheerful little chappie, a sort of latter day George Formby , seems to pop up quite regularly on the BBC Radio 4 news.

Living here one gets so out of touch - what does he do exactly?

 

 

 

Comes out with plenty of anti-government soundbytes whilst pulling interesting faces?

[Khun Han]

1 hour ago, billd766 said:

 

Just my attempt at a little humour and sarcasm.

 

She represents nobody really and IMHO is an attention getter with no rights to speak for the population at all. She has had her 15 minutes of fame and should now sink back into the obscurity from whence she came.

 

 

 

Nah, she's got a taste for it now. And she has backers. She wouldn't dare put herself forward for public approval though; that'd be the end of her five minutes.

[Khun Han]

http://news.sky.com/story/eu-brexit-negotiator-says-pms-snap-election-will-not-strengthen-hand-in-talks-10847756

 

The EU is getting more than a little bit hacked off with it's failure to shackle PM May. Moles such as Sir Ivan Rogers pushed out, and now parliamentary moles about to be neutered by a general election. Expect a lot more bitching from the assorted goons who front this shoddy organisation. And more still when the real  negotiating starts and the weakness of their position starts to become exposed.

[citybiker]

Oh I say, "moonbat" is a bit unkind. He seems a cheerful little chappie, a sort of latter day George Formby , seems to pop up quite regularly on the BBC Radio 4 news.
Living here one gets so out of touch - what does he do exactly?
 

Agreed, moonbat maybe a tad harsh.

Although Tim's recent campaigning is hardly going to plan according to media reports.

Oh dear...


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