She said she came to this conclusion "only recently, and reluctantly". An unlikely chance for a fresh start has been gifted to the Lib Dems, so it is unsurprising that they welcome a general election that comes as it does in the midst of troubled Brexit negotiations.
MPs must approve decision to dissolve Parliament part-way through full term.
London's blue-chip index was on course for its biggest daily fall since January this morning as Theresa May called a general election for June 8.
Smith added: "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". "Only the Liberal Democrats can prevent a Conservative majority", he said.
I have just chaired a meeting of the Cabinet, where we agreed that the Government should call a general election, to be held on the 8th of June.
"At this moment of enormous national significance there should be unity here in Westminster, but instead there is division".
"The country is coming together, but Westminster is not".
May's spokesman, speaking to reporters ahead of the return of Parliament the following week, said there was "no need" for another general election following the one in May 2015.
An early election is being held now because Theresa May believes the stars are aligned for a major Tory victory and something of a realignment of politics. May's party would win 44 percent of the vote, compared with 23 percent for Labour and 12 percent for the Liberal Democrats, the Times said, citing a poll by YouGov.
Pacers come up short again in Game 2 vs. Cavs
Smith is hopeful of a quick return from a hamstring injury which restricted him in his team's win over the Indiana Pacers. He was a free agent after being released by the New Orleans Pelicans, who needed his roster spot because he was injured.
However, support would always be easy to win, because opposition parties did not like to oppose elections, he said.
She said: "I think it's right that the next general election is in 2020".
In order to call the early election, Ms May will need the support of two-thirds of the 650 MPs in the Commons - but Labour is expected to support her, as any opposition would look weak if it did not agree to the chance to take office.
It is unusual for leaders to make a statement outside Number 10 Downing Street and most prime ministers only use the setting for major announcements.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who opposes Brexit, said May's Conservative Party is trying to "move the United Kingdom to the right, force through a hard Brexit and impose deeper cuts".
Shortly after Britain voted to leave the European Union, May, the then-Home Secretary, launched her campaign for Conservative party leader.
European Union leaders except May are set to hold a summit on April 29 where they will agree on the strategy for negotiating Britain's expected departure in 2019. But even that basic framework - which spelled out that Britain would leave the EU's single market - caused divisions in her party and involved several rounds of deliberations before a coherent plan could be presented.
The European Union appeared unwavered by the announcement.
He said the Council would adhere to the current timeline; adopting the Brexit guidelines by April 29 and pushing on with outlining the directives as from May 22.
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