Theresa May’s announcement this morning shocked parliament. Here’s how our LGB politicians reacted.
Prime Minister Theresa May shocked parliament this morning by announcing plans to hold a general election on 8 June, three years ahead of the 2020 scheduled election.
Announcing the news, May said she had made the decision “reluctantly” but claimed it was the only way to guarantee certainty and stability in the wake of Brexit.
Leaders of the opposition parties in Westminster have welcomed the announcement, including Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who called it a “chance to vote for a government that will put the interests of the majority first”.
Reacting to the news, Angela Eagle, who challenged Corbyn’s leadership last year, urged DIVA readers to vote Labour in June and told us: “No party has done more in government and opposition to advance rights for LGBT people.
“As those gains are under threat from the right, every cross in the box for a Labour candidate sends a message that we will continue the fight for equality.”
Margot James, Conservative MP for Stourbridge, told DIVA she was “surprised” by May’s announcement, adding: “Although I was not expecting an election I welcome the chance for my party to put its approach to getting the best deal for Britain as we leave the EU to the public; in the broader context of our vision for how we can make the country fairer.
“I know from my time as a whip that it is very difficult to govern effectively with the small majority we have at our disposal at the moment. So we have to go into this election with a real intent not just to win, but to win with a substantially increased majority.”
Here’s how some of our other gay, lesbian and bi politicians have reacted so far.
Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives
“Our aim is to gain support all over the country. We will be fighting for every vote.” pic.twitter.com/ZQsMHVhJVc
— ScotConservatives (@ScotTories) April 18, 2017
Mhairi Black, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire
I will be standing again in GE. This is our opportunity to once again reject the Tories’ agenda and provide a strong voice for Scotland.
— Mhairi Black MP (@MhairiBlack) April 18, 2017
Angela Crawley, MP for Lanark and Hamilton East
I can confirm that I intend to stand for Lanark & Hamilton East & continue working
for my constituents & standing up for Scotland #ge17— Angela Crawley MP (@AngelaCrawleyMP) April 18, 2017
Kezia Dugdale, leader of Scottish Labour
I am chairing a general election meeting this afternoon. Scottish Labour will work tirelessly to elect a Labour Govt led by Corbyn (1/2)
— Kezia Dugdale (@kezdugdale) April 18, 2017
There is a clear choice at #ge17. A destructive Tory gov intent on a hard Brexit vs a Lab gov that will work for the many, not the few (2/2)
— Kezia Dugdale (@kezdugdale) April 18, 2017
Hannah Bardell, MP for Livingston
Well now, what happened to ‘now is not the time?’ #GE17
— Hannah Bardell MP (@HannahB4LiviMP) April 18, 2017
Sir Alan Duncan, Minister for Europe and the Americas and MP for Rutland and Melton
PM announces intention to hold general election on 8 June – Commons should back her in the vote tomorrow
— Sir Alan Duncan (@AlanDuncanMP) April 18, 2017
Daniel Kawczynski, Member Foreign Affairs Select Committee and MP for Shewsbury and Atcham in Shropshire
Theresa May is right to call an early General Election vital she gets strong support from country. https://t.co/NzTQdAQT5w
— Daniel Kawczynski MP (@KawczynskiMP) April 18, 2017
David Mundell, Secretary of State for Scotland and MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
I confirm I will be putting myself forward as a candidate for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweeddale at 2017 General Election #GE17
— David Mundell (@DavidMundellDCT) April 18, 2017
