BREAKING: Snap general election called for June - all the reaction

Prime Minister Theresa May made the shock announcement this morning, Tuesday.

It comes two years after Warrington was again split with a Labour win in the north and a Conservative win in the south.

David Mowat enjoyed a 2,750 vote majority in Warrington South for the Tories in the election two years ago in 2015.

In Warrington North, Helen Jones had an 8,923 vote majority over the Tories.

Warrington South has long been a marginal seat and was a key battleground in the 2015 election.

However with the Conservatives enjoying a large lead in the polls nationally it may not be as close this time.

Helen Jones has been MP for Labour since 1997 in Warrington North and has a commanding almost 9,000 majority over the Tories.

A proposed vote will take place in the Commons on Wednesday with a two thirds majority needed.

Prime Minister Theresa May said: "I have concluded the only way to guarantee certainty and security for years ahead is to hold this election."

She had previously stated she would not hold a snap election. The next General Election was set to be 2020.

Warrington North MP Helen Jones has responded to the announcement.

She said: "We will take on the Tories, whose record in Warrington North is appalling, and I am convinced we can win.

"I will fight the election on my record in the constituency."

Cllr Bob Barr, the town’s Liberal Democrat leader, welcomed the news.

He said: “It is vital to deny the Tories an overall majority to make sure that the whole of Parliament has a say, and offers it to the people if necessary, on any Brexit deal.

“Had the election been called four weeks ago Cllr Stefan Krizanac and I would automatically have been the candidates.

“With an election on June 8 our local party will have the opportunity to select new candidates, or confirm us if we both offer ourselves for selection.”

Stockton Heath parish councillor Nick Bent, who has lost out in two Warrington South general election battles, has ruled out standing in June.

He said: “It was a great honour to be Labour’s parliamentary candidate here in 2010 and 2015, and on both occasions party members selected me by an overwhelming majority.

“Campaigning for a Labour Government with a superb team of volunteers was hard work but huge fun and I would like to thank again all those who supported me and voted for me. 

“This year, I have become the full-time CEO of the education charity I co-founded in Manchester, Tutor Trust.

“I promised my team and my trustees that I would not stand for Parliament during 2017.

“I am keeping that promise and I will support whoever wins the candidate selection in Warrington South.

“Our town needs and deserves two first rate Labour MPs who can work together with our Labour Council to secure a prosperous, thriving future for everybody in Warrington.

“I hope to stand for Parliament again in the future but in 2017 my professional commitments must take priority.”

Conservative Warrington South MP David Mowat backed the PM’s announcement.

He said: “We have a majority of only 12 in Parliament.

“This undermines the Prime Minister’s negotiating position and risks a poorer deal with the EU.

“It is right that she now asks the country for a clear mandate for her leadership – especially when others are seeking to use the parliamentary process to block and frustrate the will of the people.”

UKIP Warrington said it is ‘surprised’ that the PM has decided to call an ‘early and unexpected’ General Election.

A spokesman added: “We believe that she already had a clear mandate from last June to proceed with Brexit negotiations.

“We do appreciate however that there is a large number of MPs around the country who are overtly choosing to ignore the will of the people who voted in last year’s referendum and that this is an opportunity for voters to hold these MPs to account.

“This General Election will also be a chance for UKIP to underline its relevance as a national party – the only party to have a fully-costed manifesto at the previous General Election.

“As today’s important news is only a few hours old, we hope that residents understand that it’s too early to discuss candidates for the Warrington North and Warrington South seats, however, we will be making an announcement shortly.”

Meanwhile it has been confirmed planned boundary changes will not be in place before the vote.

It would have seen one of the Latchford wards moved to Warrington North but the election will be fought on the current boundaries.

Parliament is set to dissolve on May 3.