THERESA May stunned the nation today by calling a snap general election for June 8.

The Prime Minister had repeatedly insisted she would not seek a general election before the scheduled 2020 poll, but said in a shock announcement on Tuesday morning that she wanted “unity” at Westminster as talks on Brexit begin in earnest.

Chris Green, the Conservative MP for Bolton West, said he was “delighted” with the news, but the borough’s two Labour MPs accused Mrs May of putting the interests of her party ahead of the country’s.

All three have said they intend to stand at the election.

Mr Green, who won his seat from Labour by just 801 votes in 2015, said: “I am delighted that Theresa May has called a general election. Clearly, the world is in a very different place to when the last manifestos were written in 2015.

“I think all political parties need to go to their country with a new manifesto for the next five years.

“I would hope that my work over the last two years right across the constituency will demonstrate to residents that I am championing the causes that they hold most important.

“I am hoping that they will recognise the contribution I have made.

“Any election is a nerve-wracking experience for any politician and you cannot predict the result or take any votes for granted.”

Jeremy Corbyn has insisted he can be prime minister, despite opinion polls indicating that Labour faces an electoral mauling on June 8.

But in order to do so he will have to defy polls which have put his party a clear distance behind the Tories, and secure more seats than Ed Miliband managed in 2015.

Bolton North East MP, Sir David Crausby, admitted that it will be a “difficult” election for Labour as he attempts to retain the seat he has held since 1997.

Sir David said: “We (Labour) aren’t in the greatest position and it is no use pretending we are. I think it will be a difficult election for Labour.

“I will put my record before the people of Bolton in the hope that they will support me again.

“I have always said that I see myself as Bolton’s voice in Parliament and not the other way around.

“Theresa May has called this election entirely in the interest of the Conservative Party. She has seized the opportunity because she thinks there is a chance to increase the Conservative majority.

“It is wrong. She should be concentrating on negotiating the best Brexit deal for the British people, not just looking after her own party.

“I don’t see a public demand for an election at all.”

Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South East, added: “I think Theresa May has been very dishonest. She kept saying that there would be no election and that it would be a distraction and a waste of time, effort, and resources.

“Now, because of some favourable opinion polls, she has decided to call one.

“She has done this only for herself and her party, not the benefit of the country. There is no emergency, no crisis and no need for an election now.”

However, Bolton Council leader Cliff Morris was more enthusiastic about the prospect of an election.

He said: “I welcome the announcement – it is better late than never.

“The Government’s austerity agenda continues to damage the services we rely on, despite their promises they have failed to deliver an economic plan for the benefit of the many - and not the few - and those who are most in need.

“Six years of cuts have taken their toll. And our message is clear: it does not have to be this way.

“This is an opportunity to change the course of our country for the better and we will be fighting to make sure we get a Labour Government in place.”

The Prime Minister will require the support of two-thirds of MPs to go ahead with the election, with a Commons vote scheduled on Wednesday.

Readers of The Bolton News have also been quick to make their feelings known.

Marilyn Spencer said: "I'm naffed off that our local school is now shut two different days within a month for voting! My kids risk a fine for keeping their kids at home, so wrong!"

Lisa Regent Coote said: "Can anyone really see Jeremy Corbyn as prime minister? He just doesn't seem strong enough to lead the country. It's not enough that he seems to tell the truth. It's a massive responsibility running the country and I don't think he's up to it."

Andy Ball said: "She'll be getting my vote. Have to be crazy to vote any other way, in my opinion."

Jim Smith said: "Just call it what it is, unofficial second EU referendum.

bystander2+77 said: "It's nothing to do with Brexit. Mother Theresa has spied her party's chance to put one over on Labour.

"She will have realised that if she'd waited until another general election was due, the Tories would have been as popular as anthrax. God forbid that she is given five years to continue and advance the Tory cause.

"Personally I have not decided yet who to vote for, but if the devil stood for office he would be more appealing than this heartless excuse for a government. Who knows what the result will be but showing this lot the door would be a good one. You choose."