UK parliament votes on snap election in Brexit’s shadow

LONDON: Britain's parliament votes Wednesday on holding a snap election in June, as Prime Minister Theresa May seeks to make strong gains against the opposition before gruelling Brexit negotiations, reports AFP.
May, who made the shock call for an early election on Tuesday, needs to bolster her narrow majority of 17 seats ahead of likely tortuous talks with Brussels that could re-open old wounds within her Conservative Party.
"I believe this will strengthen our hand in negotiations," May told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday, arguing that opposition parties were "intent on frustrating the Brexit process".
May had for months ruled out an early election, but switched tack saying it was needed for "certainty and stability" ahead of the Brexit negotiations.
The small Liberal Democrats opposition party is hoping to emerge as a haven for pro-European voters distraught after last June's referendum to quit the European Union, gearing up to campaign against a "hard Brexit" that would take Britain out of Europe's single market.
But experts say the main opposition Labour Party is in a weaker position ahead of the proposed June 8 election, bitterly divided over both its leftist leader Jeremy Corbyn and how to respond to Brexit. Opinion polls put the Conservatives -- who currently hold 330 of parliament's 650 seats -- well ahead of Labour, who have 229.
Three polls released over the weekend show May's Conservatives about 20 points ahead.
May, Britain's second female prime minister, who took over last summer following her predecessor David Cameron's failure to convince voters to back the EU, also appears to have won strong popular support for her handling of the political earthquake unleashed by Brexit.

UK parliament votes on snap election in Brexits shadow

LONDON: Britains parliament votes Wednesday on holding a snap election in June, as Prime Minister Theresa May seeks to make strong gains against the opposition before gruelling Brexit negotiations, reports AFP. May, who made the shock call for an early election on Tuesday, needs to bolster her narrow majority of 17 seats ahead of likely tortuous talks with Brussels that could re-open old wounds within her Conservative Party. I believe this will strengthen our hand in negotiations, May told BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Wednesday, arguing that opposition parties were intent on frustrating the Brexit process. May had for months ruled out an early election, but switched tack saying it was needed for certainty and stability ahead of the Brexit negotiations. The small Liberal Democrats opposition party is hoping to emerge as a haven for pro-European voters distraught after last Junes referendum to quit the European Union, gearing up to campaign against a hard Brexit that would take Britain out of Europes single market. But experts say the main opposition Labour Party is in a weaker position ahead of the proposed June 8 election, bitterly divided over both its leftist leader Jeremy Corbyn and how to respond to Brexit. Opinion polls put the Conservatives -- who currently hold 330 of parliaments 650 seats -- well ahead of Labour, who have 229. Three polls released over the weekend show Mays Conservatives about 20 points ahead. May, Britains second female prime minister, who took over last summer following her predecessor David Camerons failure to convince voters to back the EU, also appears to have won strong popular support for her handling of the political earthquake unleashed by Brexit.