May's June election and trust in Trump tumbles

On to the introduction and references as well as the discussion of the SWD paper during the day.

Prime Minister Theresa May begins the week after Easter with a bang! Proposing a snap election in six weeks time, on June 8th. Apparently the opposition have been doing too much opposing and limiting her progress on Brexit.

Personally, I can only see it as an opportunistic move - things aren't too bad yet on the road to Brexit, the opposition is actually way behind the Conservatives in opinion polls.

Speculation and interpretation is rife. In the UK, eyes are looking to marginals where Labour or LibDems might win back seats. Quite a number of the public are taking the view "Oh no! Not another election".

Commentary in Der Spiegel suggests a mixed response in Germany and EU too. First, more uncertainty in dealing with the UK. Then the overly optimistic hope that the Brits will see sense and perhaps step back from Brexit and vote accordingly. Katja Adler, BBC Correspondent in Europe heard alternative opinion that it would be good if Theresa May came back with a stronger mandate as this would help negotations - in the EUs favour!

Interesting survey on Sky stating that actually 68% of people asked thought it was good to have the vote, though many agree with viral 'Brenda video' "You're Joking. Not another one! Oh for God's sake! Honestly, I can't stand this!"

Hilarious bit of news on CNN about the US armada sailing towards North Korea. The ships "were on their way to participate in military exercises in the Indian Ocean, some 3,500 miles in the opposite direction." They are however considering whether to shoot down the next missiles that North Korea launches - or not - as there is still a lot of concern about it triggering North Korean action.

Mind you, President Trump might need the distraction. The Washington Post comes up with a lovely quote too "The 100-day mark of the Trump presidency is approaching, and his aides are worried that the media narrative will depict his historically awful lack of accomplishments with highly unflattering levels of accuracy."

According to a Gallup poll, the percentage of people who think President Trump keeps his promises has sunk from 62% to 45%.  Interesting when looking closer at the figures is, that women have lost the most trust in him keeping promises, a change of 25% from 62% to 45%. However, not to read too much into the poll as his main supporters, Republicans and Conservatives, only mark a slight drop and are still strongly behind him.