The 2017 general election was called on 18th April, 2017 as a "snap election" by Theresa May. It received authorisation from parliament, with only 13 noes. Parliament was officially dissolved on that day. Most opposition parties, including Labour and the Liberal Democrats, supported the call of a general election.. The Tories appear to be leading in the opinion polls quite comfortably, however during the election campaign the gap closed somewhat, mainly by Labour gaining ground.
It later emerged that Theresa May had not increased her majority, like it was widely expected she would when she called the election; rather she lost it, only being able to form a working majority with the help of the DUP. Meanwhile, the Labour Party had made gains upon the previous election, and Labour soon had a seven-point lead over the Tories after the results had come out.
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