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General Election 2017: the best social media reactions to Theresa May's shock announcement
The internet has reacted with shock and dismay after Theresa May capped off the most tumultuous 12 months in modern British political history with a surprise early-election announcement.
“The country is coming together but Westminster is not,” said the Prime Minister, announcing she would seek a General Election on June 8.
She added: “I have concluded the only way to guarantee certainty and security for years ahead is to hold this election.”
The Conservative leader, who assumed power in July last year following the EU referendum vote, had previously said she would not call an election before 2020.
There will be a Commons vote on the proposed election on Wednesday, as she will need Parliament’s backing to hold a vote before then.
After May made the shock announcement — seven minutes earlier than her 11.15am statement was planned — Twitter reacted to the news with a politics-weary ennui.
“Not sure the last 3 years aren’t somebody’s Evil Long Term Plan to gradually destroy the will to live of everyone interested in politics,” wrote Jenny Colgan.
Many took the opportunity to mock Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn, who is languishing well behind May in all political polls.
“The real fight starts now.’ Jeremy Corbyn, June 9th,” quipped Linda Grant.
MORE: Theresa May calls for snap general election on June 8
MORE: General Election 2017: Theresa May’s Downing Street statement in full
Well at least we’ll all be destroyed in an agonising thermonuclear explosion before June.
— Adam Kay (@amateuradam) April 18, 2017
Not sure the last 3 years aren't somebody's Evil Long Term Plan to gradually destroy the will to live of everyone interested in politics.
— Jenny Colgan (@jennycolgan) April 18, 2017
Look can we talk about May's poor timekeeping. 11:15 means 11:15
— Sophia (@sophianash_) April 18, 2017
Anyone got any cat pictures?
— Gideon Coe (@gidcoe) April 18, 2017
See, Twitter, this is why anxiety is GOOD, because you're all freaking out, and I'm just DELIGHTED it's not all-out nuclear war!
— Ella Risbridger (@missellabell) April 18, 2017
My daughter will have lived through two general elections, a Scottish independence referendum and an EU referendum before turning SIX!
— Ben Isaacs (@tweetsfromben) April 18, 2017
Dear Mr Wenger, today could be the perfect time to announce that you're signing a new contract.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 18, 2017
— Lewis Scrafton (@lewisscrafton) April 18, 2017
'The real fight starts now.' Jeremy Corbyn, June 9th
— Linda Grant (@lindasgrant) April 18, 2017
The iron "Law of Dan Hodges" sees me through once again https://t.co/bD7MuolEVA
— Great Editor (@simonchilds13) April 18, 2017
JC: "I feel I am perfectly positioned for this challenge. The real flush starts now." pic.twitter.com/YZi2JOCP9E
— Ben Fenton (@benfenton) April 18, 2017
she also said she wouldn't call an election before 2020 and it's only 2017 https://t.co/y3Bw4SvCZM
— sarah m (@sazza_jay) April 18, 2017
On the plus side, this does bring forward Jeremy Corbyn’s resignation speech.
— Charles Arthur (@charlesarthur) April 18, 2017
This speech of May’s is like being told off by the most irritating teacher in the school.
— Rhodri Marsden (@rhodri) April 18, 2017
Corbyn changing his name to "Not Sure" by deed poll, as we speak https://t.co/5OFu0cNVlp
— Greg Jenner (@greg_jenner) April 18, 2017
