就在英國緊鑼密鼓地準備與歐盟展開脫歐談判之際，英國政壇風云突起——首相特蕾莎?梅18日宣布將于6月8日提前舉行大選，這一提議有待19日英國議會通過。梅政府任期原定2020年期滿。此前不久，梅還一直宣稱下次大選將在2020年舉行。那么她為何突然改變態度？

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has announced plans to call a snap general election on 8 June.
英國首相特蕾莎?梅宣布計劃于6月8日提前舉行大選。

She said Britain needed certainty, stability and strong leadership following the EU referendum.
她表示，英國脫歐公投后國家需要確定性、穩定性以及強有力的領導。

Explaining the decision, Mrs May said: "The country is coming together but Westminster is not."
梅對其決定解釋道：“國家正在團結起來，但是議會并沒有團結起來。”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party wanted the election, calling it a chance to get a government that puts "the majority first".
工黨黨魁杰里米?科爾賓稱，工黨希望進行選舉，他稱這是選擇一個把“大多數人的利益放在首位”的政府的機會。

The prime minister will refuse to take part in televised leader debates ahead of the vote, Number 10 sources said.
政府知情人士稱，梅在投票前將不會參加領導人電視辯論。

Mr Corbyn said Mrs May should not be "dodging" a head-to-head encounter.
科爾賓稱，梅不應該對正面交鋒“躲躲閃閃”。

There will be a vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday to approve the election plan - the prime minister needs two thirds of MPs to vote in favour to bring forward the next scheduled election date of 2020.
下議院將在19日舉行投票，批準選舉計劃。下屆大選的原定日期為2020年，梅需要獲得2/3議員的贊成票才能提前選舉。

Explaining her change of heart on an early election, Mrs May said: "I have concluded the only way to guarantee certainty and security for years ahead is to hold this election."
梅改變主意決定提前選舉，對此她解釋道：“我已經斷定，確保未來數年的穩定安全的唯一辦法就是舉行大選。”

She accused Britain's other political parties of "game playing", adding that this risks "our ability to make a success of Brexit and it will cause damaging uncertainty and instability to the country".
她指責英國其他政黨在“玩政治游戲”，并稱這將使英國“成功脫歐面臨風險，還將給國家帶來破壞性的動蕩。”

"So we need a general election and we need one now. We have at this moment a one-off chance to get this done while the European Union agrees its negotiating position and before the detailed talks begin.
“所以，我們需要一場大選，而且現在就需要。因為這是我們當前的唯一機會，歐盟就其談判立場達成一致，而進一步的細節談判尚未開始。”

"I have only recently and reluctantly come to this conclusion. Since I became prime minister I've said there should be no election until 2020, but now I have concluded that the only way to guarantee certainty and security for the years ahead is to hold this election and seek your support for the decisions we must take."
“我最近不得已才作出這個決定。自從就任首相起我就說過：在2020年之前不應該舉行任何大選。但現在我認為，確保未來穩定和安全的唯一方法就是舉行這次選舉，并在這個必要決定上尋求你們的支持。”

In a statement outside Number 10, Mrs May said Labour had threatened to vote against the final Brexit agreement and cited opposition to her plans from the Scottish National Party, the Lib Dems and "unelected" members of the House of Lords.
梅在唐寧街10號官邸外發表聲明，稱工黨曾威脅要對英國脫歐的最終協議投反對票，她還列舉了蘇格蘭民族黨、自由民主黨以及“未經選舉產生的”其他上議院議員們對其脫歐計劃的反對。

"If we don't hold a general election now, their political game-playing will continue and the negotiations with the European Union will reach their most difficult stage in the run-up to the next scheduled election," she said.
“如果我們不立刻進行大選，他們的政治游戲就會繼續，在接下來的大選之前，與歐盟的談判將進入最艱難的階段。”

過去一世紀，英國更換了24位首相，其中有一半未經大選直接上任：

Senior government sources point to a specific factor that changed the prime minister's calculation on an early election.
政府高層消息人士指出，一個具體因素改變了梅的想法，讓她決定提前選舉。

The end of the likely tortuous Article 50 negotiations is a hard deadline set for March 2019.
退歐談判可能很曲折，其截止日期設在2019年3月。

Under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act, that's when the Tories would be starting to prepare for a general election the following year, with what one cabinet minister described as certain "political needs".
根據《固定任期議會法案》，此時正是保守黨開始為來年大選做準備的時候，一位內閣大臣將這些準備稱為某些“政治需要”。

In other words, the government would be exposed to hardball from the EU because ministers would be desperate to avoid accepting anything that would be politically unpopular, or hold the Brexit process up, at the start of a crucial election cycle.
換言之，在至關重要的選舉周期開始時，大臣們將竭力避免接受任何在政治上不受歡迎的事情，或者阻止退歐進程，因此歐盟將對英國政府采取強硬的態度。

Ministers say that's the central reason for May's change of heart because "if there was an election in three years, we'd be up against the clock".
大臣們認為，這是梅改變心意的核心原因，因為“如果在三年內舉行大選的話，我們將面臨時間的問題。”

Mr Corbyn said he welcomed the prime minister's decision, saying it would "give the British people the chance to vote for a government that will put the interests of the majority first", saying that this would include dealing with "the crisis" in housing, education funding and the NHS and pushing for an "economy that works for all".
科爾賓對梅的決定表示歡迎，他稱，這將“使英國人民有機會選出一個把多數人利益放在首位的政府。這些利益包括：應對住房、教育經費以及國民健康保險制度面臨的“危機”，并推動“惠及所有人的經濟政策”。

Asked if he will be the next prime minister, the Labour leader said: "If we win the election - yes - and I want to lead a government that will transform this country, give real hope to everybody and above all bring about a principle of justice for everybody and economic opportunities for everybody."
當被問及是否會成為下任首相時，科爾賓表示：“是的，如果我們贏得選舉的話，我希望帶領政府進行改革，給所有人真正的希望，尤其是實現公正原則，給所有英國人帶來經濟機會。”

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would be fighting the election "to win".
蘇格蘭首席大臣尼古拉?斯特金表示，她將爭取在選舉中“獲勝”。

"I think the prime minister has called this election for selfish, narrow, party political interests, but she has called it and therefore I relish the prospect of getting out to stand up for Scotland's interests and values, standing up for Scotland's voice being heard and standing against the ability of a right-wing Conservative Party to impose whatever policies it wants on Scotland."
“我認為首相舉行這次選舉是出于自私、狹隘的政治利益，但是她既然已經要求選舉，那么我很期待站出來代表蘇格蘭的利益和價值，讓蘇格蘭的聲音被聽到，反對右翼保守黨將任何政策肆意強加于蘇格蘭。”

Mrs May spoke to the Queen on the phone on Easter Monday to let her know of the election plan, the prime minister's official spokesman said. She also got the full backing of the cabinet before calling the election.
首相官方發言人稱，梅在17日復活節與女王通話，告知其選舉計劃。她在要求舉行選舉之前已經獲得內閣的全力支持。

Former prime minister David Cameron called Theresa May's decision to hold a snap general election "brave and right".
前首相大衛?卡梅倫稱提前召開大選的決定是“勇敢而明智的”。

British business groups gave a mixed response to the prime minister's sudden call for a general election, as the pound jumped on the news and shares fell.
首相的意外之舉導致英鎊上漲、股市下跌，英國商界對此反響不一。

European Council President Donald Tusk's spokesman said the 27 other EU states would forge ahead with Brexit, saying the UK election would not change their plans.
歐盟委員會主席唐納德?圖斯克的發言人稱，其他27個歐盟國家將推動英國脫歐，英國選舉不會改變他們的計劃。

He added: "We expect to have the Brexit guidelines adopted by the European Council on 29 April and following that the Brexit negotiating directives ready on 22 May. This will allow the EU27 to start negotiations."
他還稱：“我們預計歐盟委員會將于4月29號通過英國脫歐指導方針，在5月22日出臺英國脫歐談判正式方針。歐盟27個成員國此后將可以啟動談判。”

英國首相特蕾莎?梅宣布提前大選講話雙語全文及視頻：

"I have just chaired a meeting of the cabinet, where we agreed that the government should call a general election, to be held on 8 June.
我剛剛主持了內閣會議，大家在會上一致同意，應該在6月8日舉行大選。

"I want to explain the reasons for that decision, what will happen next and the choice facing the British people when you come to vote in this election.
我想在這里解釋一下做出這一決定的原因，接下來會發生什么，以及英國民眾在大選中面臨的選擇。

"Last summer, after the country voted to leave the European Union, Britain needed certainty, stability and strong leadership, and since I became prime minister the government has delivered precisely that.
去年夏天，全國公投決定離開歐盟之后，英國需要確定性、穩定性以及強有力的領導，自我成為首相以來，我們的政府都做到了。

"Despite predictions of immediate financial and economic danger, since the referendum we have seen consumer confidence remain high, record numbers of jobs, and economic growth that has exceeded all expectations.
雖然有預測稱我們會面臨金融和經濟風險，但自從公投以來，我們看到消費者信心持續高漲，就業數量創了記錄，經濟增長超出了所有人的預期。

"We have also delivered on the mandate that we were handed by the referendum result. Britain is leaving the European Union and there can be no turning back.
我們也按照公投的結果履行了應盡的職責。英國要離開歐盟，不會回頭。

"And as we look to the future, the Government has the right plan for negotiating our new relationship with Europe.
展望未來，政府在商討英國與歐洲的新關系方面已經有了適當的方案。

"We want a deep and special partnership between a strong and successful European Union and a United Kingdom that is free to chart its own way in the world.
我們想要在強大并卓有成就的歐盟以及自由發展的英國之間建立一個深入的、特別的伙伴關系。

"That means we will regain control of our own money, our own laws and our own borders and we will be free to strike trade deals with old friends and new partners all around the world.
這意味著我們將重新獲得對我們的貨幣、法律以及邊境的控制權，我們也可以按照自己的意愿與世界各地的老朋友、新伙伴簽訂貿易協定。

"This is the right approach, and it is in the national interest. But the other political parties oppose it.
這是正確的選擇，也符合國家利益，但是其他的政黨反對這樣做。

"At this moment of enormous national significance there should be unity here in Westminster, but instead there is division. The country is coming together, but Westminster is not.
在這樣一個對國家來說意義重大的時刻，議會應該團結一致，可我們只有分歧。整個國家都在一起努力，可議會并沒有在努力。

"In recent weeks Labour has threatened to vote against the final agreement we reach with the European Union. The Liberal Democrats have said they want to grind the business of government to a standstill.
最近幾周，工黨威脅說要為我們跟歐盟達成的協議投反對票，自由民主黨說要讓政府事務陷入癱瘓。

"The Scottish National Party say they will vote against the legislation that formally repeals Britain's membership of the European Union. And unelected members of the House of Lords have vowed to fight us every step of the way.
蘇格蘭民族黨說他們要投票廢除能夠正式撤銷英國歐盟成員國身份的法律。未經選舉產生的上議院議員聲稱要步步與我們作對。

"Our opponents believe because the government's majority is so small, that our resolve will weaken and that they can force us to change course. They are wrong.
我們的對手認為，政府所占的多數席位太少，所以，我們的決心會被削弱，他們可以強迫我們改變計劃。他們錯了。

"They underestimate our determination to get the job done and I am not prepared to let them endanger the security of millions of working people across the country.
他們低估了我們完成這項工作的決心，我也沒打算讓他們危及全國數百萬工作民眾的安全。

"Because what they are doing jeopardises the work we must do to prepare for Brexit at home and it weakens the government's negotiating position in Europe.
因為他們的所作所為損害了我們在國內必須進行的脫歐準備工作，削弱了政府在歐洲的談判立場。

"If we do not hold a general election now their political game-playing will continue, and the negotiations with the European Union will reach their most difficult stage in the run-up to the next scheduled election.
如果我們現在不舉行大選，他們的政治游戲還會繼續，在下一次預定的大選到來之前，我們跟歐盟的談判會進入最艱難的階段。

"Division in Westminster will risk our ability to make a success of Brexit and it will cause damaging uncertainty and instability to the country.
議會內部的分裂會使我們成功脫歐面臨風險，還會給我們的國家帶來破壞性的不確定和不穩定狀態。

"So we need a general election and we need one now, because we have at this moment a one-off chance to get this done while the European Union agrees its negotiating position and before the detailed talks begin.
所以，我們需要一次大選，而且現在就要舉行。因為這是我們當前的唯一機會，歐盟就其談判立場達成一致，而進一步的細節談判尚未開始。

"I have only recently and reluctantly come to this conclusion. Since I became prime minister I have said that there should be no election until 2020, but now I have concluded that the only way to guarantee certainty and stability for the years ahead is to hold this election and seek your support for the decisions I must take.
我也是最近才很不情愿地做出這個決定。我擔任首相以后曾經說過，2020年之前不會舉行大選。可是現在，我發現確保未來幾年確定和穩定狀態的唯一方法就是舉行大選，尋求你們對我必須做出的決策的支持。

"And so tomorrow I will move a motion in the House of Commons calling for a general election to be held on 8 June. That motion, as set out by the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act, will require a two-thirds majority of the House of Commons.
因此，我明天會向下議院提交動議，提議在6月8日舉行大選。按照《英國議會固定任期法案》的規定，該動議需要在下議院獲得三分之二的多數票才能通過。

"So I have a simple challenge to the opposition parties, you have criticised the government's vision for Brexit, you have challenged our objectives, you have threatened to block the legislation we put before Parliament.
我這里向各反對黨提出一個簡單的挑戰，你們批評政府脫歐的計劃，挑戰我們的目標，還威脅要阻止我們向議會提交的法案。

"This is your moment to show you mean it, to show you are not opposing the government for the sake of it, to show that you do not treat politics as a game.
現在是時候讓大家知道，你們是認真的，你們不是為了反對政府而反對政府，你們并沒有把政治當游戲。

"Let us tomorrow vote for an election, let us put forward our plans for Brexit and our alternative programmes for government and then let the people decide.
明天，讓我們為大選投票表態，把我們的脫歐計劃和政府的替代方案拿出來，讓人民做決定。

"And the decision facing the country will be all about leadership. It will be a choice between strong and stable leadership in the national interest, with me as your prime minister, or weak and unstable coalition government, led by Jeremy Corbyn, propped up by the Liberal Democrats, who want to reopen the divisions of the referendum, and Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP.
整個國家面臨的抉擇主要是關于領導力。以我本人為首相、符合國民利益的強大穩定領導集體，自由民主黨牽頭、以杰里米?科爾賓為首的軟弱又缺乏穩定性、想要重新回到公投分裂局面的聯合政府，以及蘇格蘭民族黨的尼古拉-斯特金，人們需要在這當中做出選擇。

"Every vote for the Conservatives will make it harder for opposition politicians who want to stop me from getting the job done.
投給保守黨的每一票都會讓想要阻止我完成脫歐工作的反對黨更難得逞。

"Every vote for the Conservatives will make me stronger when I negotiate for Britain with the prime ministers, presidents and chancellors of the European Union.
投給保守黨的每一票都會讓我在與歐盟各國首相、總統以及總理大臣們談判時更強大。

"Every vote for the Conservatives means we can stick to our plan for a stronger Britain and take the right long-term decisions for a more secure future.
投給保守黨的每一票都意味著我們能堅持建立一個更強大英國的計劃，為一個更穩健的未來做出正確的長期抉擇。

"It was with reluctance that I decided the country needs this election, but it is with strong conviction that I say it is necessary to secure the strong and stable leadership the country needs to see us through Brexit and beyond.
我做出舉行大選的決定是不情愿的，但是我堅信這是確保我國在強大穩定的領導之下完成脫歐進程并進入下一階段發展的必要手段。

"So, tomorrow, let the House of Commons vote for an election, let everybody put forward their proposals for Brexit and their programmes for government, and let us remove the risk of uncertainty and instability and continue to give the country the strong and stable leadership it demands."
所以，明天，就讓下議院為大選進行表決吧，大家都把自己的脫歐方案和執政方案拿出來，讓我們消除不確定性和不穩定性的風險，繼續給我們國家一個它急需的強大又穩定的領導集體。

英文來源：BBC
翻譯&編輯：董靜 馬文英
審校：丹妮