Central Devon MP Mel Stride welcomed the announcement that Prime Minister Theresa May has called for a general election on June 8.

He said this afternoon: ‘This is the right decision. The country is coming together behind securing a good strong deal for the UK in the Brexit negotiations.

‘But we need Westminster to unite as well - and that requires a strong Conservative government with a stronger working majority.’

He added: ‘The alternative will be years of obstruction and dog-fighting from the opposition parties which, with a slim government majority, will severely inhibit our ability to deliver the right result for our country.’