The Prime Minister’s call for a snap General Election in June has been branded a “huge political miscalculation” by Nicola Sturgeon.
The First Minister urged voters to “stand up for Scotland” and warned that the move would offer Scots a chance to reject the “narrow, divisive” policies of the Tories.
She said that Mrs May’s announcement was “one of the most extraordinary U-turns in recent political history” after the Prime Minister repeatedly denied suggestions that she could call an election before 2020.
In a statement, Ms Sturgeon added: “She is clearly betting that the Tories can win a bigger majority in England given the utter disarray in the Labour Party.
“That makes it all the more important that Scotland is protected from a Tory Party which now sees the chance of grabbing control of government for many years to come and moving the UK further to the right – forcing through a hard Brexit and imposing deeper cuts in the process.
“That means that this will be – more than ever before – an election about standing up for Scotland, in the face of a right-wing, austerity-obsessed Tory government with no mandate in Scotland but which now thinks it can do whatever it wants and get away with it.”
The SNP leader warned: “In terms of Scotland, this move is a huge political miscalculation by the Prime Minister.
She added: “It will once again give people the opportunity to reject the Tories’ narrow, divisive agenda, as well as reinforcing the democratic mandate which already exists for giving the people of Scotland a choice on their future.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement, saying her party is “ready for a campaign, we are organised, and we are optimistic about the prospect of increasing our number of seats”.
Ms Davidson said the SNP would use the campaign “to try and manufacture a case for separation”.
She added: “With Jeremy Corbyn having already said he is ‘absolutely fine’ with an immediate referendum, we also know that Labour can’t be relied to stand up to them.
“By contrast, the Scottish Conservatives have the strength right across Scotland to stand up for people who oppose the SNP’s plans.
“The choice is simple: it’s between a strong government led by Theresa May working to get the best Brexit deal, or a weak Labour government, led by Jeremy Corbyn, which cannot stand up to the SNP.
“The Scottish Conservatives will be fighting a Scotland-wide campaign in this election. Our aim is to gain support all over the country. We will be fighting for every vote.”
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said the vote would present Scots with a “significant and historic choice.”
She stated: “At the last election in 2015 we said this would be a clear choice between a destructive Tory Party and a better future with Labour.
“Since then we have seen the dangers of a Tory government.
“At this election, the choice again will be clear: a Tory Party intent on a hard and damaging Brexit; or a Labour Party that will oppose a second independence referendum and fight for a better future for everybody.”
She added: “The Labour Party is ready and has been preparing for a general election. We will start the process of selecting our candidates this afternoon.
“We will work tirelessly to elect Jeremy Corbyn Prime Minister and deliver a Labour government.”
Ms Dugdale added: “The Labour Party is ready and has been preparing for a general election. We will start the process of selecting our candidates this afternoon.
“We will work tirelessly to elect Jeremy Corbyn Prime Minister and deliver a Labour government.”
Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said his party was “relishing the prospect” of the election.
He stated: “It is a chance to change the direction of the whole of the UK.
“Our optimistic agenda is pro-UK, pro-EU and progressive. We stand with the majority opinion in this country.
“At this election we will stand proud for a United Kingdom within the European single market.
“We will avoid a disastrous hard Brexit and keep Britain united. Liberal Democrats are only party that can stop a Conservative majority across the UK.
“If people want a Britain that is open, tolerant and united, this is the chance.”
Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie said: “Brexit is a mess of the Tory party’s making, and they are calling this election for much the same self-serving reasons as the EU referendum itself.
“Since June they have also consistently ignored voters in Scotland and elsewhere who chose to stay in Europe and the single market.
“The Government that’s elected on June 8th will still be faced with that question – if a majority of voters here back candidates who are pro-EU and pro-single market, the Prime Minister must finally acknowledge the right of Scotland’s voters to be respected.”