PENARTH MP Stephen Doughty has said he will “proudly” stand on his record of fighting for local residents following the announcement of a general election by the prime minister on Tuesday.

Theresa May called for a ballot to be held on June 8 in a shock speech outside Downing Street.

Following the news, Mr Doughty said: “If the Prime Minister succeeds in her call for an early general election I will be proud to stand on my record fighting for local people as the Welsh Labour and Co-operative MP for Penarth and Cardiff South.

“Since I was first elected in 2012, I have helped thousands of people locally and stood up for local community organisations, businesses and those working to make Penarth and the Vale a great place to live.”

The Cardiff South and Penarth MP retained his seat at the last parliamentary election in May 2015, after becoming the area’s Westminster representative in a 2012 by-election.

South Wales Central AM Andrew RT Davies welcomed the prime minister’s decision.

“On June 8 we have an opportunity to vote for the strong and stable leadership that both Wales and Britain need to see us through Brexit and beyond,” he said.

“It is the right decision for the country.

“Here in Wales, both Labour and the Welsh nationalists have been in denial over Brexit, and have sought to undermine the process at every stage.

“We need certainty and unity, not political games, and every vote for the Prime Minister on June 8 will strengthen Britain’s hand in the negotiations ahead.

“As we move through this period of national change, voters across the UK will face a choice between the leadership of Theresa May or the chaos and incompetence of Jeremy Corbyn. 

“We want both Wales and Britain to emerge from this period stronger, fairer and more outward-looking than ever before, and we will stick to our plan for a stronger Britain. 

“Only Theresa May has the plan and the proven leadership to deliver the right deal for Britain abroad and a better deal for ordinary, working people here at home.”

The election will be held just over a month after local elections across the UK on May 4. 

It will also be the fifth ballot in just two years for Welsh voters following the 2015 General Election, the 2016 Welsh Assembly and Police and Crime Commissioner elections, and the EU Referendum.

A vote was held in the House of Commons on Wednesday (April 19) to approve the decision.

The motion was passed with 522 MPs voting in favour and just 13 against.