Theresa May Calls for Early Parliamentary Elections in Britain

Theresa May, the Prime Minister of Britain, called for early parliamentary elections in the country on Tuesday, April 18. May told reporters that she would ask Parliament on Wednesday to agree to hold early elections on June 8. This unexpected move by May comes two years after the last election and three years ahead of the scheduled 2020 elections. According to the Associated Press, May stated that since the people of Britain voted to leave the European Union, there must be unity in the country, but politicians are still not united. The British Prime Minister said that the divisions among politicians put a successful exit from the EU at risk. The Conservative Party, led by May, holds a fragile majority in Parliament with 330 seats out of 650. May hopes that the Conservatives can win more seats in the House of Commons against the Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn, which is in crisis, and the pro-EU party, which has only 9 seats in Parliament. If the desired outcome from this election is achieved, it will be easier for the Prime Minister to ignore opposition demands for a softer exit from the EU. On the other hand, May may be able to stand against the hardliners in her party who demand a complete and swift exit from the EU, an exit that some economists believe would have dire consequences for the British economy. Last month, the Prime Minister officially triggered the two-year process of leaving the EU. She became Prime Minister without an election after David Cameron resigned in July following the vote to leave the EU. Since then, May had rejected calls for early elections. On Tuesday, the Prime Minister said, 'Our opponents believe that because this government has a fragile majority, they can disrupt our resolve and force us to change course.' Parliamentary elections in Britain are held every five years, but if the Prime Minister calls for early elections, two-thirds of the representatives must agree. The Labour Party had called for Britain to remain in the EU, but its leader Jeremy Corbyn has stated that he respects the people's wish to leave the EU. The Labour leader emphasized that his party, which participates in the elections with the slogan of a fairer society and economy and 'a Brexit that is good for all,' is committed to this cause. Polls indicate a Conservative advantage in the upcoming elections.