LOCAL politicians have hit out at Theresa May for “breaking her promise” and announcing a snap general election in June.

 

Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O’Hara has called the Prime Minister’s shock move “an extraordinary political U-turn on the part of the Tories”.

 

Whilst Helensburgh and Lomond’s Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said the general election serves the interests of the Conservative Party, not the public.

 

Speaking outside Downing Street on Tuesday morning, Ms May said her decision stemmed from a need to “guarantee certainty and security for years ahead”.

 

She accused Britain’s other political parties of “game playing”, adding that this risks “our ability to make a success of Brexit and it will cause damaging uncertainty and instability to the country”.

 

She said: “We need a general election and we need one now. We have at this moment a one-off chance to get this done while the European Union agrees its negotiating position and before the detailed talks begin.

 

“I have only recently and reluctantly come to this conclusion. Since I became Prime Minister I’ve said there should be no election until 2020, but now I have concluded that the only way to guarantee certainty and security for the years ahead is to hold this election and seek your support for the decisions we must take.”

 

Mr O’Hara, who has confirmed he will stand again, said: “Theresa May simply couldn’t resist and once again we see the Tories putting short term party-political advantage at the heart of everything they do.

 

“This isn’t about good governance, this is Theresa May capitalising on the dysfunctional Labour opposition to bolster her hard-right, hard-Brexit agenda.”

 

Mr O’Hara added that this was an election “about standing up for Scotland”.

 

He said: “It will once again give people the opportunity to reject the Tories’ narrow, divisive agenda, as well as reinforcing the democratic mandate which already exists for giving the people of Scotland a choice on their future.”

 

Ms Baillie said: “This is a hugely important time for the future of the country. Just a few weeks after triggering Article 50, Theresa May has broken her promise not to hold a snap general election.

 

“This is a time for cool heads and I am not convinced the electorate will welcome another election.

 

“That said, I welcome the opportunity to shine a light on the government’s record, although I think their actions in calling a general election are more about their party’s interests rather than the national interest.

 

“The SNP is only interested in talking about a general election as a mandate for a second independence referendum.

 

“This election is a clear choice between a Conservative Party intent on a hard and damaging Brexit or a Labour Party that will oppose a second independence referendum and fight for a better future for everybody.

 

“We will officially begin the process of selecting our candidates for Argyll and Bute and West Dunbartonshire over the next few days.”