BRAINTREE’S MP admitted he was surprised to see a snap election called - having taken to Twitter moments before to predict the PM’s announcement was about something else.

James Cleverly, Braintree MP, who gained his seat at the 2015 election, tweeted his followers in the lead up to the declaration yesterday.

Mr Cleverly tweeted: “I’m going to look either very clever or very daft in the next half an hour and say she is not going to call an early election.”

Later adding: “That’s it!!! I am never making a prediction ever again!”

He told the Times he will stand again for the Braintree constituency saying it was a “privilege and a pleasure” representing the town.

He said: “I genuinely didn’t think it would happen, it was a surprise.

“Right up until the statement was made I was convinced it was going to be about something else, but I’m looking forward to it.

“I think there is so much exciting work and a lot of really important reforms we need to get.”

Witham’s MP Priti Patel says a general election is needed to secure 'strong and stable leadership' for Brexit.

Ms Patel took up the newly created seat in May 2010 and was re-elected in 2015.

During her time in parliament she has served as the exchequer secretary to the treasury, the minister of state for employment and holds the role of secretary of state for international development.

A strong campaigner for Brexit Ms Patel was one of five Tory MPs, including Maldon MP John Whittingdale, who launched the Leave campaign.

She said: “The Prime Minister is right to call a General Election to secure the strong and stable leadership that Britain needs during Brexit and beyond.

“The Conservative Party offers Britain strong leadership, certainty and a clear plan to secure a successful future outside of the EU. I am looking forward to campaigning in the Witham constituency during the General Election campaign.”