Five times Theresa May ruled out a snap general election

Theresa May’s snap election, scheduled for 8 June, was unlikely for three big reasons. Holding off until 2020 would allow the Tories to take advantage of boundary changes that come into force in 2018. There’s a fixed-term parliament act, which is a major complicating factor (Labour will probably have to back a vote in the Commons to allow this election to take place at all). Most of all, she staked a large chunk of her credibility on not U-turning on her decision that there wouldn’t be one. Until this morning, her reputation for unwavering unflappability looked justified.

Here are five occasions on which the Prime Minister personally, or her staff, denied that there were plans for an election. She may be heading for a landslide, but her party – and the public – will remember not to take her at her word in future…