Theresa May accused of ‘opportunism’ over election by EU Brexit negotiator

Theresa May, who had previously ruled out a general election, said a Conservative victory would make her “stronger” when she “negotiates for Britain with the prime ministers, presidents and chancellors of the European Union”.

Her plea came as MPs prepare to vote on the motion in the House of Commons.

In the normal run of things the next election campaign may have clashed with the final Brexit negotiations in 2019.

On a secret computer network was a folder entitled “snap”, password protected and accessible to only five aides, which contained draft plans for an early election.

MPs, the PM said, have a window of opportunity to hold a general election before negotiations with the European Union begin. “It’s about. getting the right deal from Europe”.

“I trust the British public”.

Having confected a false justification for the election, May now wants to portray herself as the people’s champion defending the EU Leave decision against the massed ranks of unbelievers, refusing to sully her person by engaging in face-to-face political debates with other party leaders.

Corbyn promised to take wealth hidden in tax havens and “put it back in the hands of the people”.

Facing steep odds and low popularity ratings, Britain’s main opposition leader launched his election campaign on Thursday, painting himself as a populist outsider who will overturn a “rigged” political and economic system.

The prime minister’s move was undoubtedly influenced by recent opinion polls showing that the Conservatives have a commanding 21-point lead over the Labour Party. Currently, the Conservatives hold only one of Scotland’s 59 seats in the British parliament.

The leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, leaves his home in London, Britain April 19, 2017.

Britain’s next national election had not been due until 2020, a year after the scheduled completion of two years of European Union exit talks.

Mrs May insisted an early election would provide “certainty and stability” in the negotiations.

“She expects a coronation and not a contest”, Farron said, urging voters to back his strongly pro-EU party to stop a Conservative landslide.

“Governments always like larger majorities, but they don’t necessarily lead to better government”.

In a statement released by the Labour Party, he said: “There will be no coalition deal with the SNP and a Labour government”.

“The SNP wants to break up the United Kingdom; it has no interest in making it work better”. Now they have an opportunity to vote, in a general election, for the MPs who best represent their interests.

After the speech, a spokeswoman for the leader said Labour’s position, backing a “meaningful vote” in Parliament, had not changed but did not explicitly rule out a second referendum.