As had been widely predicted, UK Prime Minister Theresa May has been given the green light to proceed with a ‘snap’ general election.

A large majority of MPs voted in favour of the election, with 522 backing the motion while 13 MPs voted against – leading to a majority of 509 votes.

The backing of two thirds of the British parliament was needed to implement the move, designed to strengthen the British government’s position ahead of upcoming Brexit negotiations.

May declared during today’s debate that “now is the time to strengthen our hand in the talks on Brexit”. She said: “We should be united in trying to get the best possible deal for the UK”.

She later added: “There should be unity here in Westminster – not division”.

The general election, which will be held on June 8, is predicted to favour May’s Conservative Party, with good popularity evident in recent opinion polls. A YouGov poll published in this week’s Sunday Times saw its support reach 44%, giving the party a comfortable 21-point lead over Labour’s 23% standing.

Also Read: Britain set for snap election to firm up Brexit support

The move is expected to lead to a dissolution of the British parliament on May 3, after which a 25-day election campaign would ensue ahead of the election.

May has said a successful election for her would be a vote of confidence in her government’s key objectives of establishing more control over the UK’s laws, finances and borders. She cited the need for “strong leadership” in order to get the best possible deal in the Brexit negotiations and to steer the UK in the right direction thereafter.

Irish perspective

The upcoming election will be crucial in determining the direction of the Brexit talks, which in turn will have huge implications for the Irish agricultural sector.

IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods recently said that 50% of Irish beef exports go to the UK market.

To put the UK’s influence on the Irish market into perspective, he noted that in the second half of 2016, beef producers took a price hit of €150m, chiefly as a result of the Sterling devaluation.

Woods also argued that there needs to be a comprehensive free-trade agreement between the UK and the EU, which the IFA would be fighting for.

With this in mind, Irish farmers would be well advised to keep a close eye on Brexit-related developments – as they unfold.