Prime Minister Theresa May's announcement of a snap general election on Thursday 8 June, has piqued world interest. On Tuesday morning, as we went to press, the Prime Minister announced that Britain needed clarity, stability and strong leadership following the EU Referendum. For a while, she declined the possibility of a general election before 2020, but her sudden change of mind, has been related to her hard Brexit mandate. But more importantly it has been related to her effort to prove her leadership as an 'elected' Prime Minister, against the losing popularity of the Labour party, that has been opposing the government's Brexit decisions. This announcement has also been seen to be Mrs May's fulfilment of her greatest promise- to establish Britain's supremacy as a stronger economic giant, forging individual relationships, discussing mutually benefitting terms, especially after the Brexit.
Recently, a poll suggested that the Conservative party is 21 points ahead of the Labours. The poll, conducted by ComRes for The Independent, has put Tories at 46% of the vote share, 25% for Labour, 11% for Tim Farron’s pro-EU Liberal Democrats and 9% for the embattled Ukip under Paul Nuttall’s leadership. According to historic data on the UK Polling Report, it is the highest lead for any party since May 2009, when three polls gave David Cameron a 22-point lead. It is also the party's greatest lead while in government since 1983, shortly before Margaret Thatcher’s second victory at the ballot box.
While the party has gained its momentum among Asians, especially Hindus (who ensured the clear majority win in 2015), this however has not been the feeling within the Palace of Westminster, where the party's alleged internal turmoil (for various reasons) and that caused by the other parties, especially Labour party opposing a hard Brexit, have been affecting its normal function.
This was clear in her statement on Tuesday morning, when she explained her decision and said: "The country is coming together but Westminster is not."
BBC reported that Mrs May said: "I have concluded the only way to guarantee certainty and security for years ahead is to hold this election."
She accused Britain's other political parties of "game playing", adding that this risks "our ability to make a success of Brexit and it will cause damaging uncertainty and instability to the country".
"So we need a general election and we need one now. We have at this moment a one-off chance to get this done while the European Union agrees its negotiating position and before the detailed talks begin.
"I have only recently and reluctantly come to this conclusion. Since I became prime minister I've said there should be no election until 2020, but now I have concluded that the only way to guarantee certainty and security for the years ahead is to hold this election and seek your support for the decisions we must take."
In a statement outside Number 10, Mrs May said Labour had threatened to vote against the final Brexit agreement and cited opposition to her plans from the Scottish National Party, the Lib Dems and "unelected" members of the House of Lords.
"If we don't hold a general election now, their political game-playing will continue and the negotiations with the European Union will reach their most difficult stage in the run up to the next scheduled election," she said.
Mrs May spoke to the Queen on the phone on Easter Monday to let her know of the election plan, the prime minister's official spokesman said. She also got the full backing of the Cabinet before calling the election.
Former Prime Minister David Cameron called Theresa May's decision to hold a snap general election "brave and right". In a tweet, he added: "My very best wishes to all Conservative candidates."
It is not known if Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn will step down if the party loses, it's unlikely, given past performance, that he will offer a firm lead, and when he fails the party will split again, at the worst possible time.
While SNP leader has asked its members and supporters to stand up for Scotland, the Liberal Democrats have witnessed a sudden surge of new members in the minutes following the announcement of a snap general election, the party has said.
The party's internal membership figures show it has gained around 1,000 new members in just one hour after Theresa May announced that there would be a general election on 8 June.
The party is hoping to make significant gains at the election, following a disastrous result in 2015 where it was reduced to just eight MPs after going into coalition with the Conservatives.
British Pound has also soared to four-month high after her announcement though FTSE 100 suffered the worst day today since Brexit vote on 23 June 2016.
Asian MPs and Peers react to the announcement
Labour party MP Virendra Sharma, in a fiesty comment told Asian Voice that the PM has called the election in fear of the Opposition's pressure in Parliament, “I and the Labour Party welcome the snap General Election, it will give the country a chance to have their say on the divisive policies and hard Brexit that Theresa May is pursuing.
“The Prime Minister has called this election because she is scared of the Opposition that the Labour Party is mounting in Parliament.
“Tory policies on the NHS, jobs and Brexit are not what the people want. June 8th will give the public a real choice, a choice between austerity and handouts for millionaires and Labour policies that help small businesses and the National Health Service.
“In Ealing, Southall we will speak to thousands of people, we will speak to the people that are being hurt by Tory policies and we will see that there is no support for a hard Brexit that punishes working people."
Seema Malhotra, another Labour MP told the newspaper, "This is a Prime Minister, who once again focussed on her own interests not on the interests of the country. At a time when we have growing inequality in education, a Budget that gives to the most wealthy, an NHS in need desperate need of funding and youth services being cut, the Prime Minister should be focussed on healing divisions not widening them."
She tweeted, “For our shared prosperity, community cohesion, our NHS, a better education for our kids, I will stand again to be MP for Feltham & Heston.”
Lord Bhikhu Parekh, a Labour peer, told AV, “Snap election suits the Tories for obvious reasons. It allows tem to capitalise on Labour's problems as well as avoid future economic downturn. I do not see however how it benefits the country, especially after the passions aroused during the recent referendum on the European Union. Clearly short term party calculations have played a major part in the Prime Minister's decision and I deeply regret that this should be so. I very much hope that this will be the opportunity for Labour to put its house in order and unite behind the current leadership."
Lord Navnit Dholakia, who is the Deputy Leader of the pro-EU Lib Dem party, is currently in India. Given the developments, he made himself available to speak to Asian Voice and said, “I am delighted that we will have a General Election on 8 June. It is clear from the outcome of the referendum on European Union that UK politics is fractured and the public opinion is divided about our future in the wider world. This election gives a a chance to change the direction of our country.
“Following the last referendum the Liberal Democrats have the highest ever membership in recent times. Already a thousand new members have joined us since the announcement of the General Election. In local government we have made considerable gains and the election will give us the opportunity to further consolidate our efforts in a national poll.
“The country has been crying out for a stable, meaningful opposition which Labour has failed to provide. We will now have large numbers of young people able to vote. Hard Brexit has let them down. This is their chance to vote for their future in an open, tolerant and united world which the Liberal Democrats stand for.
“We look forward to exciting times ahead.”
Priti Patel, Secretary for International Development, told Asian Voice, “The Prime Minister is right to call a General Election to secure the strong and stable leadership that Britain needs during Brexit and beyond. The Conservative Party offers Britain strong leadership, certainty and a clear plan to secure a successful future outside of the EU.
“I am looking forward to campaigning in the Witham constituency during the General Election campaign.”
Alok Sharma MP, who is a Minister in the Foreign Commonwealth Office said: “Prime Minister Theresa May has been leading our nation with great purpose and distinction since last July and this general election is all about securing that strong and stable leadership the country needs to see us through Brexit and beyond. The choice for the country could not be clearer, strong and stable leadership in the national interest with Theresa May and the Conservatives or weak and unstable coalition government, led by Jeremy Corbyn.”
Lord Dolar Popat, who was in Cuba when we spoke, told Asian Voice, “Brexit is a fantastic opportunity to reshape our country but it is vital that we have strong political leadership to lead Britain through this period. As we have seen in recent months, the other political parties will use opportunism to challenge and undermine the Government, and therefore I support the Prime Minister's decision."
Shailesh Vara MP told the newspaper, “I welcome the decision. People who voted for Brexit in the referendum clearly shown the direction for Britain and the will of the people. The Opposition and unelected members of the House of Lords are currently opposing what is best for Britain. Calling for the General Election will reaffirm the Conservative party of the majority support and help us deliver what people of Britain have asked for.”
Cllr Ameet Jogia, one of the youngest Councillors in Britain said, “I welcome the news for a General Election, because it provides an opportunity for all Parties to put forward their proposals for Brexit. After Brexit, Mrs May’s leadership has been paramount in maintaining stability. However, Westminster continues to promote division; Labour has threatened to vote against the final agreement we reach with the EU, the Liberal Democrats still haven’t accepted last year’s Referendum result and the SNP are hell bent on breaking up the United Kingdom. This election will enable the nation to have their say and to end the debate over how to deal with Brexit once and for all. For me personally, Brexit requires strong leadership and only Mrs May and the Conservative Party can deliver that.”
What does the community have to say?
Tania Mitra Ghosh told the newspaper, “This learly shows the state of affairs at the moment - turmoil within the Tory party plus amongst parties over the terms of Brexit! However, what this decision clearly underlines is political shortsightedness of the Tory party in general and I very strongly feel that the country should hold them accountable for this. So first David Cameron drags the country to an EU referendum, throws the country into a disarray with no one understanding what it really entails. Michael Gove and Boris Johnson played the trumpet until the final show when they completely lost the tune and surprisingly, no one quite held them accountable for misleading people. And then followed Theresa May's 'hard brexit' slogan, completely obliterating the voices of the 48% of us who voted 'remain'! Such divisions notwithstanding, we now have to prepare for a general election in less than 2 months with no able opposition credible enough to steer the country forward. The funny bit about this whole thing is that no real issues are being talked about. We all seem to be driven towards hyperboles and rhetoric.”
Sanjay Jagatia, Director/Secretary General Hindu Council UK told Asian Voice, “The announcement by Prime Minister Teresa May of a snap election on 8th June 2017, comes as no surprise with the Conservative Party's poll lead widening by the day since she took over from David Cameron. Theresa May has calculated that the rewards are too good to miss and allows her to go to the country to get a firm mandate for delivering Brexit. In essence, the Prime Minister has just bought herself an extra two years before the country will be asked to deliver a verdict on the Brexit she’s negotiated. Furthermore, the Tory Party are likely to win by a substantial margin, and this will dramatically improve Theresa May's room for manoeuvre in the Commons and affirm her personal authority in negotiations with the EU, together with having a stronger Tory Government backing her - a smart move! A substantial Tory victory would also kill off the idea of a second referendum, and close down the argument that the electorate had not given consent to withdrawal from the single market. No doubt, this election campaign will be extraordinary and be dominated by the divisive political rhetoric of recent months. The Tories are likely to gain in every area of the UK - and will make inroads in Scotland. Labour will be pushed back to their very, very core - perhaps even losing support in urban strongholds in the Midlands, North and the outer suburbs of London.”
Vinod Tikoo, told the newspaper, “It is a good political move, albeit it comes with a cost of an election. Having said that , the serious level of negotiations and maneuvering required to make brexit work requires a strong government and Theresa may currently has a slender 12 member majority in Commons and on top of that since she took over leadership from Mr Cameroon she has to always face the question of her legitimacy to lead UK through Brexit. So I guess based on the fact that British economy is doing rather well. Conservatives are a clear 20% ahead on polls from the rivals and the impending daunting task of brexit legislation , this seems all in order.
Haragopal Lingam told Asian Voice, “Brexit negotiations are not going anywhere till the government has a firm say in the overall deal and not being questioned or stalled every step by their own politicians. Theresa May has done the right thing by calling the people of Britain to back her to the hilt to make Brexit work in Britain's favour.”
Keyur Buch told AV, “It is nothing but a cowardly act of passing the buck to the next PM, or indeed the cynical game of kicking the can further down the road in case May happens to be that next PM!”
Ram Mulage said, "Theresa May saw an opportunity(exit polls being in favour of Tories) and seized it. It's all about politics and power and rest are just excuses."
Bikiron Banerjee told the paper, "Cynical timing for tories to take advantage of current popularity.gives them plenty of time to recover after full reality of brexit emerges."
