Here's how your MP reacted to today's General Election announcement

Both Labour and Conservative members were surprised by the Prime Minister's announcement outside Number 10 Downing Street, where she revealed plans for an election on June 8.

Labour MPs said they looked forward to putting forward their policies, despite the Prime Minister's 'political manoeuvring', while Tory MPs said the election was chance to secure the safety and security of the country.

Labour's Walsall South MP Valerie Vaz said: "I will be happy to put the Labour Party's policies to the electorate.

"I think the country needs a Labour Government and I will be working hard to ensure the country gets one.

"The fact this has come out of the blue isn't helpful It means some parties have had information before others.

"I think it would have been nice for the House of Commons to have been told first."

Labour's Warley MP John Spellar accused the Prime Minister of 'transparent political manoeuvring' by calling an early general election.

"This is blatant political opportunism by Theresa May and is completely at odds with what she has been saying," he said.

"She has created excuses to call an election in an attempt to take advantage of Labour's polling figures being down. I think a lot of people will see through it and vote strictly on policy.

"This comes at a time when the Government needs to be held to account for the cuts they have made.

"Theresa May has shown herself up as a shoddy politician."

Mr Spellar added that he would be 'very confident' of holding his seat in Warley.

West Bromwich West MP Adrian Bailey said he would be voting for the election, despite it being 'unnecessary' in political terms and unwanted by the public.

"The Government has a majority and only two years ago brought in fixed term parliaments for five years," he said.

"The decision also flies in the face of the Prime Minister's very recent promise not to call an early election.

"Having said that, I will be voting for the election as I firmly believe Labour policies will get public support.

"It gives us the chance to articulate our message."

Walsall North MP David Winnick would not say whether he supported the idea of an election this year, but vowed to fight for his seat if it went ahead.

He said: "The Prime Minister has repeatedly said no to an election and now she has decided otherwise. So it is obviously a surprise. She obviously thinks because she is ahead in the polls she has decided to take a gamble on the basis there is a lot of pressure on her to take advantage. But polls can be wrong. They do not always translate to votes on the day.

"One thing is certain the nightmare would be a result where the Tories have a large majority.

"You would see policies far worse than we have had so far.

"I will fight every inch of the way. I am as committed now to the same desire to advance the interests of ordinary people as I was in the first place."

Conservative Halesowen & Rowley Regis MP James Morris said: "This election will add stability and security to the lives of people in Halesowen & Rowley Regis. What Britain needs now is clarity, and a Prime Minister with a strong mandate to lead us out of the European Union.

"Labour, the SNP and the Liberal Democrats want to try and stall our exit. I am determined to ensure that the will of people here in Halesowen & Rowley Regis is fulfilled - and a General Election is a way of doing that."

Aldridge-Brownhills Conservative MP Wendy Morton said she was fully behind the call for an early general election.

"I was a little surprised but I absolutely understand Theresa May's rationale for it," she said.

"This is about the security and the future of the country and making sure we move forward to get the best we can for ourselves and future generations.

"Theresa has demonstrated what a strong leader she is, something we have seen since she became PM."

Tory Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant said: "I think this has come out of the blue but I can understand why the PM has made this announcement.

"As a former senior whip I know the current chief whip Gavin Williamson will have had a major input into the PM's decision.

"He will have said that to achieve all that she wishes to achieve she needs a proper working majority.

"While you can take nothing for granted this is what I hope she will achieve on June 8. Conservative associations throughout the region - whether currently represented by a Conservative MP or not - will have to adopt candidates.

"This is an exciting time and will also have an impact on the Mayoral elections on May 4."

Conservative Dudley South MP Mike Wood, who is at home recovering from sepsis, said: "We weren't expecting an election but it is clear with the challenges ahead Theresa May wants a mandate and a bigger majority going into the nitty gritty of the Brexit negotiations later this year.

"Clearly it as far as timing goes it is difficult for me and I am still not walking particularly well but I am looking forward to getting out and talking to people in Dudley South and hoping they will put their trust in me.

"What it will come down to is a question of leadership and people in Dudley South and the country deciding between the strength of Theresa May or Jeremy Corbyn whose brand of left-wing politics we though died out in the 80s."

Conservative Stourbridge MP Margot James said: "I am very much up for it. I was surprised and didn't see it coming. I can see a lot of benefits. In addition to what the Prime Minister said I have been a whip and know the difficulties of having a small majority. It means we have to dilute a lot of what we want to do - there are huge constraints.

"With something as important as Brexit I can see why she has taken this decision. She come into office and there are differences from our manifesto in 2015. It is right that we put our plan to the electorate and hopefully we will return with a bigger majority to govern."

Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroysaid: "I understand the Prime Minister's reasons it must have been a difficult decision for her to make. But she wants to have the mandate to do what's necessary in the best interests of the country.

"I know she is a very serious lady and this decision will not have been taken lightly but I fully back her.

"It is important the country has a chance to back her leadership."

Mr Lefroy was speaking from Washington, where he has been on Government business chairing the The Parliamentary Network on The World Bank and International Monetary Fund. He confirmed he would be flying back tonight for the vote in the Commons.