"I have just chaired a meeting of the cabinet, where we agreed that the government should call a general election, to be held on 8 June.
"I want to explain the for that decision, what will happen and the facing the British people when you come to vote in this election.
"Last summer, after the country voted to leave the European Union, Britain needed , and strong , and since I became prime minister the government has delivered precisely that.
"Despite predictions of immediate financial and economic danger, since the referendum we have seen consumer remain high, record numbers of , and economic that has exceeded all expectations.
"We have also delivered on the mandate that we were handed by the referendum result. Britain is leaving the European Union and there can be no turning back.
"And as we look to the future, the Government has the right plan for negotiating our new relationship with Europe.
"We want a and partnership between a and European Union and a United Kingdom that is free to its own way in the world.
"That means we will regain control of our own , our own and our own and we will be free to strike trade deals with friends and partners all around the world.
"This is the right approach, and it is in the national interest. But the other political parties oppose it.
"At this moment of enormous national significance there should be here in Westminster, but instead there is . The is coming together, but is not.
"In recent weeks has threatened to vote against the final agreement we reach with the European Union. The Democrats have said they want to grind the business of government to a standstill.
"The 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 because the government's majority is so small, that our resolve will weaken and that they can force us to change course. They are .
"They underestimate our determination to the