While unlikely to turn everything around in one go, it makes clear that a new Labour leader that is seen as a more viable alternative to the current incumbent of Number 10 would provide the boost that Labour and indeed the country so desperately needs and deserves.
The union's acting general secretary Gail Cartmail said the only real choice is between Labour and the Tories, who are intent on "continuing with miserable austerity and destroying the rights and living standards of working people".
That said, there have been signs in recent weeks that some of Labour's key policies are popular among the public, so the party's manifesto launch will be a key moment.
Adding to the pressure is May's apparent ability to bridge the class divide, with the latest YouGov poll finding she was nearly as popular with poorer voters as she was with the affluent.
"I think those things will still have salience with many voters".
He said: "It was in no sense about the national interest".
"Every vote for the Conservatives will make it harder for opposition politicians who want to stop me from getting the job done", May said.
The reality is that very few people expect him to continue as leader until the general election, with expectations that he will go sometime next year.
Centre taking steps to get Mallya back to India: Venkaiah Naidu
However, the flamboyant businessman, who once called himself "The King of Good Times", was released on bail within minutes. He further said that the government would persuade the UK Government to extradite the liquor baron from UK.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
The Prime Minister said Labour's economic policies would mean it is "ordinary working people who pay the price". "She has come into this election because she thinks she's 20 points ahead and she can't put forward what it is she wants from Brexit because she wants to promise everything at this stage". It is only a Labour Government that will stand up for people on these important issues.
Mr Dimbleby added: "When you are trying to say "I speak for Britain", you've got to get out there and listen to what Britain says back to you and argue your case". If you want a Britain that is open, tolerant and united, this is your chance.
In Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) and First Minister in the Scottish Parliament, gave her response.
The idea of a "progressive alliance" - which has been pushed by senior figures in Labour, as well as the Greens and Liberal Democrats - would see some left or centre-left parties not stand candidates in seats where splitting the vote could allow the Conservatives to succeed.
Prof. Martin Smith, head of the University of York's politics department, pointed out: "There is a danger that the Prime Minister's decision to call a snap election may appear both cynical and hypocritical". She had indicated several times that she would not do so and in order to do so she has to shift away from fixed term elections introduced by her predecessor.
Mrs May's extraordinary move came after national polls suggested the Conservatives had a 21-point advantage over Labour - the biggest lead for any party in government since 1983.
For Labour, this would be the lowest proportion of the vote since 1918 - before they had formed a government.
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