UK parliament approves election for June 8

The UK parliament has voted in favour of Prime Minister Theresa May's call for an early general election.
The parliament on Wednesday voted 522 to 13 in favour of the election taking place on June 8.
On Tuesday, May called for a snap election in a surprise announcement as Britain prepares for delicate negotiations on leaving the European Union.

She said holding an election in June, rather than as scheduled in 2020, will give the country "certainty and stability" as it negotiates its departure from the EU.
"I believe that at this moment of enormous national significance, there should be unity here in Westminster, not division," May told the parliament.
"A general election will provide the country with five years of strong and stable leadership to see us through the negotiations and ensure we are able to go on to make a success as a result, and that is crucial."
May's Conservatives currently hold 330 of the 650 seats in the Hous e of Commons. The opposition Labour Party and Liberal Democrats welcomed the chance to put their policies to voters, though the Scottish National Party called the election a cynical political ploy.
Following the election decision, the parliament will be dissolved on May 2.