Prime Minister Theresa May has called for an early election on June 8, saying the government had the right plan for negotiating the terms of Britain's exit from the European Union and that she needed political unity in London.

Below is a reaction from a selection of experts on politics and financial markets:

JOHN CURTICE, POLLING EXPERT AND PROFESSOR AT UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE

"There is no doubt that the Conservatives are in a strong position in the opinion polls..."

"That clearly would be enough to give Theresa May a quite substantial majority."

"In a sense she's essentially saying the reason we need to have this (election) is because 'we need a government that has a clear majority that's committed to the version of Brexit I want'."

"There are divisions inside the Conservative Party (on Brexit), we'll see how they survive a general election, but the truth is the opposition is probably even more divided on the subject."

"And she's probably therefore banking that so long as this remains the central issue, the Labour Party will not be capable of fighting an effective alternative position."

TIM FARRON, LEADER OF LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

"If you want to avoid a disastrous Hard Brexit. If you want to keep Britain in the Single Market. If you want a Britain that is open, tolerant and united, this is your chance."

"Only the Liberal Democrats can prevent a Conservative majority."

SIMON DERRICK, HEAD OF GLOBAL RESEARCH AT BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON IN LONDON:

"For the moment at least it is not being seen as particularly a negative."

It is a politically astute move and it should provide more stability going over the immediate aftermath of the exit from the EU."

"I guess people see that this may give Theresa May a better majority. It is a politically astute move and it should provide more stability going over the immediate aftermath of the exit from the EU."

PHILIP SHAW, CHIEF ECONOMIST AT INVESTEC

Asked if the prospect of a slowing economy is a reason for an early vote:

"That probably is a factor in the sense that although the formal negotiations under Article 50 will have concluded by May 2020, we would most likely still be in a 'phased implementation' phase, which would indicate there would be a considerable degree of uncertainty about the fine print of trade prospects."

"The economy may well be a factor, but I suspect the Conservatives' lead in the opinion poll ranks above that."

ALAN CLARKE, ECONOMIST AT SCOTIABANK

"The pound seems to be a little bit firmer on the news. I guess if it leads to a bit more certainty and you have a bigger majority for the Conservatives it means a little more certainty."

"I think it makes it hard for the Bank of England to hike imminently, but that wasn't on the cards anyway."

"It's slightly unfortunate timing as Q1 GDP might be disappointing at 0.4 percent. But it will be worse later in the year so it is a 'now or never' decision."