Pending a vote in the House of Commons today, which will require a two-thirds majority, the decision will see a scheduled general election for early May 2020 moved forward by almost three years.
The Green Party's sole MP Caroline Lucas is understood to be voting for the election, with the party calling for a "progressive alliance" with Labour and the Liberal Democrats for "a hand full of seats". Undoubtedly, a strengthened British government and prime minister with a powerful mandate from the British people will be good for the Special Relationship.
But a Downing Street source indicated the prime minister would reject any proposal for a TV showdown, saying: "Our answer is "No".
Currently, the Conservatives have 330 MPs, giving the party its working majority of 17.
That would make it easier for her to ignore opposition calls for a softer European Union exit - making compromises to retain some benefits of membership - and to face down hard-liners within her own party who want a no-compromise "hard Brexit" that many economists fear could be devastating.
She will take her first step on Wednesday by asking MPs to approve the election by dissolving Parliament.
She told Today: "I genuinely came to this decision reluctantly, having looked at the circumstances, and having looked ahead at the process of negotiation". May said the election was to allow the government to strive forward with "unity" in Brexit negotiations.
The leader of the main opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, has previously said he would back such a call.
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However, they almost blew an 18-point lead in the fourth as the Pacers got within four before Cleveland closed it out at the line. San Antonio would not take its first lead until there was 8:53 remaining in the second quarter, but raced to victory once it did.
Opinion polls suggest May's Conservatives are enjoying a huge lead over Labour.
Stunning listeners just after 11am on Tuesday she said: "I have just chaired a meeting of the Cabinet, where we agreed that the Government should call a general election, to be held on 8 June". "Our opponents believe that because the government's majority is so small, our resolve will weaken and that they can force us to change course", on leaving the EU, May said.
Mr Tusk issued a set of draft guidelines late last month rejecting Ms May's call for talks on the terms of the divorce bill and on a future trade deal in parallel during the two years of negotiations ahead of Britain's exit in March 2019.
Britain's place in the European Union will be at the forefront of the seven-week campaign, but Mrs May will also want endorsement for the social justice agenda she promised upon becoming Prime Minister last July.
The poll lead had prompted many senior Conservatives to call for an election, particularly as Mrs May will need a strong parliamentary majority as she seeks to negotiate Brexit.
May, who has described herself as "not a showy politician", also said she would not take part in television debates before the election, preferring to talk directly to voters.
The main opposition Labour Party welcomed May's election call, meaning that it is nearly a foregone conclusion that May will obtain the two thirds support she needs in the House of Commons for the election to be held. The pound surged 0.7 percent against the dollar to $1.2658, recovering from a 0.4 percent drop an hour earlier as rumors swirled about the surprise statement.
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