PMQs and general election live: Theresa May faces Jeremy Corbyn amid accusations of 'opportunism'

Labour and SNP get first chance to grill May - 24 hours after she called a snap election

Corbyn questions May's 'proud' record in TV debate row

Here are the latest updates:

• Theresa May takes PMQs from 12:00 in the House of Commons
• Sources claim May called snap election 'before Corbyn had chance to resign'
• Experts say Labour faces worst result since WWII
• Green Party calls for anti-Tory alliance with Labour and Lib Dems
• PM also accused of using election to avoid Tory campaign expenses scandal
• Pound continues to trade at high levels as traders raise hopes of soft Brexit
• Analysis: What does the early election mean for Brexit?

Speaking ahead of PMQs today, Theresa May claimed that victory in the snap general election would strengthen her hand in Brexit negotiations with EU leaders.

The Prime Minister said that if she had not performed a U-turn on calling an early vote, the "crucial part" of the Brexit talks would have occurred in the build-up to a general election, which EU negotiators could have exploited as a "weakness".

Ms May appealed for the British people to trust her to handle Brexit and rejected claims the decision to go to the country on 8 June was motivated by political opportunism at a time when the Tories enjoy a healthy opinion poll lead.

She said she wanted a stronger mandate because, with a slim working majority of just 17 MPs, opposition parties were intent on "frustrating" Brexit, even though she has yet to lose a vote on the issue in the Commons.

MPs are today expected to back Mss May's demand for an early ballot, three years ahead of the next scheduled general election.

[19 April 2017 13:16 · tompeck1000]

Gareth Snell, new MP for Stoke: "I'll take it as a complaint the PM is so keen to get rid of me she's called an early election." 1/2

[19 April 2017 13:17 · tompeck1000]

Theresa May simply grimaced and shook her head at this utterly woeful banter. When Theresa May thinks your chat stinks, you're in trouble.

[19 April 2017 13:24 · Kristin Hugo]

MPs are now debating the government motion in favour of an early general election.

[19 April 2017 13:25 · John Rentoul]

Mark Francois, Tory MP, congratulates PM on getting "turkeys to vote for Christmas"

[19 April 2017 13:28 · goodfellow1307]

QTWAIN? @JohnRentoul twitter.com/YahooNewsUK/st…

[19 April 2017 13:29 · Kristin Hugo]

Theresa May has told MPs the general election will secure the "strong and stable leadership the country needs to see us through Brexit and beyond".

She also repeated her claim that the "stability" an election would provide will strengthen her hand during Brexit negotiations with the EU.

[19 April 2017 13:32 · John Rentoul]

Desmond Swayne, Tory MP, congratulates PM on getting "turkeys to vote for Christmas"

[19 April 2017 13:39 · tompeck1000]

I predict Theresa May will pay a heavy price for refusing to take part in these TV debates. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C9xrIVUXsAANZHP.jpg

[19 April 2017 13:40 · Kristin Hugo]

May addressed MPs as if the result of the general election is already beyond question - which, if you believe current polls, it might be. 

"A general election will provide the country with five years of strong and stable leadership" she said. Safe to assume she's not talking about a scenario in which the Conservatives don't win, but the Prime Minister doesn't seem to even consider that as a possibility.

[19 April 2017 13:45 · budgie]

Serious question: shouldn’t the Lib Dems on principle as fans of FTPA vote against holding early election? (esp since 9 votes won’t matter)