THE area’s MPs have reacted to Theresa May’s announcement that there will be a 'snap' general election on June 8.

In a surprise announcement on Tuesday morning, the Prime Minister announced that the cabinet has agreed on holding a surprise general election in just seven weeks’ time.

Mrs May said that division in Westminster ahead of Brexit negotiations was the reason the government was calling the election at 'this moment of enormous national significance'.

During her statement outside 10 Downing Street, she said: 'The country is coming together, but Westminster is not. In recent weeks Labour has threatened to vote against the deal we reach with the European Union.

'The Liberal Democrats have said they want to grind the business of government to a standstill. The Scottish National party say they will vote against the legislation that formally repeals Britain’s membership of the European Union. And unelected members of the House of Lords have vowed to fight us every step of the way.

'Our opponents believe that because the government’s majority is so small, our resolve will weaken and that they can force us to change course. They are wrong.'

Geoffrey Cox, the Conversative MP for Torridge and West Devon, echoed Mrs May’s sentiments, saying she has proven 'strong and stable leadership' and that he supported the call for an election.

He said: 'We need a strong government with a workable majority in parliament to provide the certainty and stability to meet the challenges of leaving the EU.

'Only a Conservative government with a renewed and improved mandate can achieve the measures vital to keeping our economy strong and to carrying our country through this important moment in our history.'

Sheryll Murray, MP for South East Cornwall, also agreed with the Prime Minister.

She said: 'Every vote cast for Theresa May and the Conservatives will count to strengthen Britain’s hand in the Brexit negotiations. We will stick to our plan for a stronger Britain and take the right long-term decisions for a more secure future.

'The choice is between strong and stable leadership in the national interest with Theresa May and the Conservatives – or weak and unstable coalition government led by Jeremy Corbyn.

'In South East Cornwall my team are ready and the choice is clear, between me and the Conservatives who respect the view of the people to leave the European Union and are determined to get the best deal for the United Kingdom, or the Liberal Democrats who seem to want to hold referendum after referendum until they get the result they want.

'I believe Theresa May is the strong leader we need to lead us during this important time for our United Kingdom.'

Opposition leaders also welcomed the call for the election. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party 'will be offering the country an effective alternative to a government that has failed to rebuild the economy, delivered falling living standards and damaging cuts to our schools and NHS'.

Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon has called the election a 'huge political miscalculation' and an 'extraordinary u-turn' by the Prime Minister, which comes less than a year after Mrs May stated there should be no election before 2020.

Tim Farron, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has said the election offers a 'chance to change the direction of our country' and his party’s campaign would be centred around avoiding a 'disastrous hard Brexit'.