Mr Corbyn said Mrs May should not be "dodging" a head-to-head encounter.

科尔宾称，梅不应该对正面交锋“躲躲闪闪”。

There will be a vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday to approve the election plan - the prime minister needs two thirds of MPs to vote in favour to bring forward the next scheduled election date of 2020.

下议院将在19日举行投票，批准选举计划。下届大选的原定日期为2020年，梅需要获得2/3议员的赞成票才能提前选举。

Explaining her change of heart on an early election, Mrs May said: "I have concluded the only way to guarantee certainty and security for years ahead is to hold this election."

梅改变主意决定提前选举，对此她解释道：“我已经断定，确保未来数年的稳定安全的唯一办法就是举行大选。”

She accused Britain's other political parties of "game playing", adding that this risks "our ability to make a success of Brexit and it will cause damaging uncertainty and instability to the country".

她指责英国其他政党在“玩政治游戏”，并称这将使英国“成功脱欧面临风险，还将给国家带来破坏性的动荡。”

"So we need a general election and we need one now. We have at this moment a one-off chance to get this done while the European Union agrees its negotiating position and before the detailed talks begin.

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