LIKE lemmings throwing themselves over a cliff Labour were unable to resist the invitation from Theresa May to commit political suicide.

Without a moment's hesitation the Labour leadership declared that they relished the prospect of an early election despite poll ratings which indicated they were are going to be decisively defeated.

Through this act of impatience the Labour Party threw away the chance of removing the the Conservatives in 2020.

Theresa May's reasons for calling for an early election are partly opportunistic and partly necessity.

On the opportunistic side the Conservatives have an unprecedented lead in the polls over Labour and Theresa May enjoys a similar lead in the personal ratings over Jeremy Corbyn. The necessity side is that she only has a small majority.

There are a small number of troublesome disidents within her party which will only increase with the passage of time.

There is a number of Conservative MPs under police investigation for electoral expenses misdemeanours and goodness knows how that will pan out.

Her main reason for calling an early election, however, is that the Conservatives now realise that it is unlikely that the EU negotiations will be concluded in two years and that a transitional period will be necessary.

She is aware that this will infuriate a substantial number of 'Leave Voters' who wanted a Clear Brexit after two years.

This situation would have made the 2020 election difficult for the Conservatives and there was every possibility that they would have lost their overall majority.

The smart thing for the Labour Party would have been to say 'no thank-you' to the invitation and let the Conservatives stew in their own juice.

By agreeing to an early election, which they have little or no chance of winning, Labour have probably handed the Conservatives a massive majority which Labour will find it difficult to overcome in 2022.

Not only did Jeremy Corbyn sabotage Labour's chances of returning to power in 2020, he has probably ensure that bit will be 2017 before Labour next have a chance of power.

In Scotland the SNP will probably lose seats to the Conservatives and Lid Dems which can only weaken their argument for a second Independence Referendum. With Theresa May continuing to emphasise the virtues of the Union the long grass beckons.

JAMES MARTIN,

Kelty.