London, May 25 (RHC)-- Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has called for an “immediate general election” after British Prime Minister Theresa May announced her resignation in the aftermath a deadlock with parliament over her negotiated Brexit deal with the European Union.

Corbyn said in a tweet on Friday that May was “right to resign” as prime minister and whoever replaced her as leader of the Conservative Party had to call an election.  “Theresa May is right to resign.  She's now accepted what the country's known for months: she can't govern, and nor can her divided and disintegrating party,” Corbyn said.  “Whoever becomes the new Tory leader must let the people decide our country’s future, through an immediate General Election.”

In an emotional statement outside Downing Street on Friday, the British premier confirmed her resignation on June 7, following a cabinet revolt over her Brexit plan and the repeated delay of the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB).

In an online statement, Corbyn also gave a scathing account of the current state of affairs in Britain and stressed the need for a snap general election.  "The Conservative Party has utterly failed the country over Brexit and is unable to improve people’s lives or deal with their most pressing needs.  Parliament is deadlocked and the Conservatives offer no solutions to the other major challenges facing our country,” the opposition Labour Party leader said.

"Whoever becomes the new Conservative leader must let the people decide our country’s future, through an immediate General Election," he said, adding: “The last thing the country needs is weeks of more Conservative infighting followed by yet another unelected Prime Minister."

May's resignation comes as Britain's looming departure from the 28-member bloc looks even more difficult, with some suggesting a hard or "no-deal" Brexit is now almost inevitable.  The leading contenders to succeed the British premier all favor a tougher divorce deal although the EU has ruled out the renegotiation of the WAB, which was sealed in November.

The European Union said the resignation failed to change the bloc’s position on the Brexit withdrawal deal agreed with Britain.  EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker noted May's decision "without personal joy," a spokeswoman said, adding that the council of EU leaders has "set out its position" on the Brexit deal.

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said in a tweet that he "would like to express my full respect for @theresa_may and for her determination, as Prime Minister, in working towards the #UK's orderly withdrawal from the EU.”