Full text of British PM Theresa May's speech calling for early election

She needs to strengthen her hand in divorce talks with the EU by shoring up support for Brexit

British Prime Minister Theresa May called on Tuesday for an early election on June 8, saying she needed to strengthen her hand in divorce talks with the European Union by shoring up support for her Brexit plan.

Below is the text of May's statement, delivered outside her Downing Street office:

I have just chaired a meeting of the Cabinet, where we agreed that the Government should call a general election, to be held on the 8th of June.

I want to explain the reasons for that decision, what will happen next and the choice facing the British people when you