Why an election now? seems weird timing.
Perfect timing in my view - it is what the UK negotiating team will have wanted as they prepare to face off against the EU. Currently the EU leaders will have been preparing in the knowledge that the UK team are getting lots of noise and distraction from within Westminster. The UK needs to be able to play hardball with regards funding and other areas in the face of the EU stances - this GE will give them the mandate.
I just posted this in the Brexit thread but it is a fit for here as well:
Well done Prime Minister - an absolute game changer and holding a GE will strengthen the UK's negotiating position enormously
Really glad that I have not gotten around to answering your question yet Len - my response will be much more bullish now. We should all, IMO - whether leave or Remain voters - wish to celebrate that there is now clear evidence that Mrs May is absolutely committed to Brexit and has the capacity for determination - even ruthlessness in decision making. I say whether Leave or Remain voters because it now seems clear that we at leaving the EU so we should want the best for the UK and that those negotiating for us to have the strongest possible position.
All those poncy games being played by the likes of Farron and Benn recently - the GE will be like a flood that cleanses away all the detritus and the wasters that have been threatening to undermine the UK during the negotiations.
You can imagine that there will be a number of long-voting Labour constituencies that will be willing to vote Conservative this time secure Brexit, whereas such as places where I live (Wokingham) whilst perhaps last year returning a Remain majority there is not any chance they will switch from the Conservatives.
And as for UKIP - why would not every UKIP voter not vote Conservative on this occasion - they get everything they have wanted.
Good news for Labour - you will have a new leader in July - good for the UK as well because our democracy needs an effective opposition and especially good news for the UK as May will have 5 years to make Brexit a cemented reality - with no/limited scope for it to be reversed