All the times Theresa May said there would not be a snap election

Prime Minister Theresa May has completely u-turned on holding a general election.

On Tuesday morning, the Prime Minister called for a vote on a general election.

If parliament votes to dissolve itself, requiring a 2/3 majority, the election would be held on 8 June.

Citing her government’s small majority in the House of Commons, her minority in the House of Lords, and the need to strengthen her negotiating hand in Europe, May said

We need a general election, and we need one now, before detailed talks with Europe begin.

May acknowledged that previously she categorically denied she wanted to hold an election, but then brushed it under the carpet pretty quickly.

I have recently and reluctantly come to this conclusion.

She continued:

Since I became prime minister I have said there should be no election until 2020 but now I have concluded that only way to guarantee certainty and stability for the years ahead is to hold this election and seek your support for the decisions I must take.

May seems to be forgetting all these statements issued on her behalf:

There isn't going to be one. It isn't going to happen. There is not going to be a general election

- May spokesperson, 20 March 2017 Financial Times

"It's not going to happen. It's not something she plans to do or wishes to do.

- Downing Street Source - 7 March 2017The Daily Telegraph

No. Our position has been clear that there shouldn’t be an election until 2020 – and that remains the Prime Minister’s view.

- Prime Minister's official spokesperson, 3 November 2016 The Independent

Theresa May has ruled out the possibility of a general election before 2020 due to the risk of "instability" posed by a snap vote.

- 1 October 2016, The Independent

I’m not going to be calling a snap election. I’ve been very clear that I think we need that period of time, that stability, to be able to deal with the issues that the country is facing and have that election in 2020.”

- May, 4 September 2016 The Guardian

There should be no general election until 2020. There should be a normal autumn statement held in the normal way, at the normal time, and no emergency budget.

- May, June 30 2016 The Independent

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