The region’s MPs have welcomed Prime Minister Theresa May’s decision to take Britain to the polls in a snap General Election on June 8.
The Conservative leader made the announcement on the steps of Downing Street yesterday and the decision is expected to be approved by a vote in the House of Commons this afternoon.
The PM had previously denied a vote would be held before the next scheduled poll due to be held in 2020.
Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland said he is “looking forward” to defending his seat in the campaign.
He told the Comet: “I am proud to be the Member of Parliament for Stevenage and to stand up for local people.
“I look forward to the campaign and hope people will give me the honour of continuing to represent them.
“I appreciate it is a surprise announcement, but every vote cast for Theresa May and the Conservatives will count to strengthen Britain’s hand in the Brexit negotiations.
“The choice is between strong and stable leadership in the national interest with Theresa May and the Conservatives – or weak and unstable coalition government led by Jeremy Corbyn.”
Stevenage Borough Council leader Sharon Taylor who fought unsuccessfully against Mr McPartland in the 2015 General Election and has not ruled out standing again this time round, said she welcomed the chance to show the Labour Party could provide a “different kind of leadership” for the country.
She said: “We’ve got some great policies coming out and it’s an opportunity for us to let the public have their say about some of the awful things this government has done – such as zero hours contracts, the doubling of homelessness and increasing child poverty.
“We want this country to have a compassionate attitude in health care, a caring education system, a welfare state which helps the vulnerable and an economy that works.”
North East Bed’s Conservative MP, Alistair Burt, said would be happy to stand again to represent people in his constituency.
He said: “I welcome the announcement by the Prime Minister. The UK faces unique challenges in the next few years, and to be able to do so with an election out of the way will be in the country’s interest.
“I will be supporting a Conservative manifesto pledged to deliver for everyone, and will look forward to playing a full part in the next Parliament, if the electors of North East Bedfordshire choose me again to represent them.”
Mid Bedfordshire’s Conservative MP, Nadine Dorries, said yesterday: “I fully support Theresa May’s decision to call a snap general election. There have been far too many ‘noises off’ threatening to block the Brexit process and to frustrate and derail legislation as it passes through Parliament. She has acted with integrity and has chosen to go to the country and ask for the support of the electorate. Serving Mid Bedfordshire has been both an honour and a privilege for the past twelve years and I hope to continue serving the constituents of Mid Bedfordshire for the foreseeable future.”
The election is expected to be ratified by MPs in a House of Commons vote this afternoon.
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