Poll will influence UK attitude to Brexit

Amid fears and confusion over the London Bridge terror attack, in which seven people were killed and 48 injured, the United Kingdom is set to go to the polls on Thursday. Undaunted by the three terror attacks in the UK in less than three months, Prime Minister Theresa May said her administration will step up the fight against Islamist extremism and complete the UK's divorce with the European Union on schedule.

Ideally, a victory in the snap polls she has called will make May a legitimately elected leader, rather than a makeshift choice by the Conservative Party. That might give her administration a bigger say in negotiating the UK's departure from the EU, grant her party more seats in the House of Commons, and instill in the public a sense of unity in the face of Brexit negotiations.

What the future holds for May and her party is not clear, though, because of the several outstanding challenges she faces. Since the two terror attacks within two weeks (Manchester Arena on May 21 and London Bridge on June 3) laid bare the security threat, May is right to press ahead with the election as planned and act tough against radical Islamism.