A Nottingham politics lecturer has said Theresa May announcing a general election means it is ‘crunch time’ for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Nottingham Trent University lecturer Dr Matthew Mokhefi-Ashton Tweeted he ‘can’t see how Corbyn could stay on as leader if he loses the election’ which May has called for June 8.
May announced the decision after meeting with her cabinet this morning (Monday April 18) and made the announcement shortly after 11am outside 10 Downing Street.
However before the election gets approval, it must be passed through the House of Commons with at least two thirds of MPs agreeing with the notion.
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “The country is coming together but Westminster is not.
“If we do not hold an election now, the other parties’ game playing will continue and EU negotiations will reach their most difficult stage before the next election.
“We need a general election and we need one now because we have, at this moment, a one-off chance to get this done while the EU finalises its negotiating position.
“I have only recently and reluctantly came to this conclusion.
“The only way to guarantee certainty and stability for the years ahead is to hold this and tomorrow, I will move a motion in the House of Commons to have an election on June 8.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said he ‘welcomes’ May’s decision.
In a statement, he said: “I welcome the Prime Minister’s decision to give the British people the chance to vote for a government that will put the interests of the majority first.
“Labour will be offering the country an effective alternative to a government that has failed to rebuild the economy, delivering falling living standards and damaging cuts to our schools and NHS.
“In the last couple of weeks, Labour has set out policies that offer a clear and credible choice for the country.
“We look forward to showing how labour will stand up for the people of Britain.”
