Jeremy Corbyn backs snap general election in 50 days time
Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn has backed Theresa May’s calls for a snap general election.
The Labour party currently have 229 Members of Parliament, compared to the Conservative Party’s 330.
Responding to the Prime Minister’s Downing Street speech, Corbyn 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, delivered 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.”
The election is expected to be held on June 8th, if parliament approves a bill to allow the election tomorrow.
The incumbent Prime Minister had said she did not intend to hold an election before 2020, but now says Westminster has failed to be “united”.
Mrs May answered critics, saying she had come to the conclusion “recently and reluctantly”.
Under the Fixed Term Parliament Act, she must get a two thirds majority of MPs in order for an election to happen.
She claimed other parties had tried to stop her “getting the job done” and that she wanted a larger governing majority to “remove the risk of uncertainty and instability”.
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has said he will back the motion for an election, saying in a statement: “If you want to avoid a disastrous Hard Brexit.
“If you want to keep Britain in the Single Market. If you want a Britain that is open, tolerant and united, this is your chance.
“Only the Liberal Democrats can prevent a Conservative majority.”
Jeremy Corbyn has been a strong supporter of LGBT rights while leade rof the oppostion, and previously voted for same-sex marriage.
He recently called for mandatory equality training for bus drivers, and backed a greater effort in tackling HIV/AIDS.
Speaking outside Downing Street after officially taking up the position of Prime Minister in July of last year, Mrs May praised her predecessor, David Cameron, for his legacy on issues including same-sex marriage.
She said: “In David Cameron I follow in the footsteps of a great modern prime minister.
“Under David’s leadership the government stabilised the economy, reduced the budget defict and helped more people into work than every before. But David’s true legacy is not about the economy, but about social justice.
“From the introduction of same sex marriage to taking people on low wages out of income tax altogether David Cameron has led a one nation government and it is in that spirit that I also plan to lead.”
Mrs May has faced strong criticism on other LGBT issues, however.
A review of the treatment of LGBT asylum seekers was carried out by the Home Office in 2014, but the Home Secretary has since been criticised by asylum groups, who say that in some ways conditions have worsened under her tenure at the home Office.
Speaking at the launch of her Conservative party leadership bid, she said: “I supported Civil Partnerships in 2004, and was proud to sponsor the legislation that introduced full marriage equality in 2013 because I believe marriage should be for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation.”
