PRIME Minister Theresa May has called an early General Election.

The Prime Minister announced the UK-wide poll on June 8.

On the steps of Ten Downing Street she said the election as needed to bring the nation and Westminster together in the wake of the Brexit vote.

Mr May said she had called the election so she and her government could 'get the job' done and secure the UK a good deal on leaving the European Union.

She said: "We need a general election and we need one now".

Mrs May said she had ' only recently and reluctantly' come to this conclusion.

She added: "It is the only was to guarantee certainty and stability for the years ahead."

Mrs May said she would move an amendment to the Fixed Term Parliament Act tomorrow to pave the way for the June 8 poll.