Members of Parliament in east London are reacting to Theresa May's call for a snap general election on June 8. 

Despite promising to not call an early election before the scheduled poll in 2020, the Prime Minister today announced her dramatic u-turn.

The opinion of MPs and politicans in east London were split down party lines.

Former minister and Tory MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, Iain Duncan Smith, said Mrs May made the "right decision". 

He said: "The public has got enough time to realise in Theresa May they have somebody very focused, very clear, she makes her decisions and has really strong leadership.

"She's right to clear the air, to have a mandate and come back and say ‘right, the British people want us to get on with this so that we can negotiate properly in Europe.'

"I think that’s the right thing to do from a position of strength."

Addressing her constituents on social media, Labour MP for Walthamstow, Stella Creasy said: "This country and this community deserves the best and whatever the Tories throw at us I will never stop working for that."

Redbridge Conservative leader Cllr Paul Canal said: “It is absolutely right that Parliament and the country are united in securing the best Brexit deal for Britain. 

“The opposition parties have threatened to derail and obstruct that process.  They cannot be allowed to succeed.

“This is also a chance for the country to make a choice between the clear direction set out by Theresa May, for a Britain that works for everyone, or the chaos and division offered by Labour.”

Cllr Canal also called on former Ilford North MP Lee Scott to win back his seat from Wes Streeting.

Streeting reacted to the news by organising a canvasing session for this evening.

He said: “First campaign session is at 6pm today at the campaign office in Gants Hill.

“Party’s organised, we just need you to show up.

“An amazing team helped us win Ilford North from the Tories in 2015, let’s do it again.”

He added Mrs May “must have planned” the snap election and slammed the decision as “reckless and irresponsible”.

In Ilford South MP Mike Gapes tweeted: “I predicted it.

“Theresa May would not want an election in 2020 after a distrust damaging Brexit. That's why she has gone early.”

More reaction from MPs to come