General Election: Who is standing to be Romsey's next MP?

Mr Sunak, who has been Prime Minister since October 2022, has called the election after months of speculation about its date.

Announcing the election, the Prime Minister said: "The King has granted the dissolution of parliament, and the election will be on July 4."

In a sign that security and the economy will be key battlegrounds, Mr Sunak said: “This election will take place at time when the world is more dangerous than it has been since the end of the Cold War.”

The “uncertain times” call for a “clear plan”, he said.

The Romsey and Southampton North constituency has been held by Conservative MP Caroline Nokes since 2010. At the last election in 2019, Ms Nokes won with a majority of 10,872.

She will be standing again. The other confirmed candidates are: Geoff Cooper (Lib Dem), Sahrae Cunio (Workers Party), Christie Lambert (Labour), Connor Shaw (Green) and Harry Sheffield (Reform). 

Ms Nokes said: “I am pleased the election has been called and will, of course, over the next week still be the MP and keeping up with constituency commitments.

“This will be a tough election, but every election is challenging, and I am looking forward to highlighting the work I have done over the last 14 years. Whatever the outcome of the General Election, here in Romsey and Southampton North I have consistently stood up for my constituents and worked as hard as I can to represent them. I very much hope to continue to do so.”

READ MORE: Hampshire reacts after Rishi Sunak confirms July 4 election

Mr Cooper said: “Rishi Sunak has finally done something to please the British public and called a General Election. At last voters have a chance to boot the Conservatives out of power and deliver the change we so desperately need and so many people want. 

“It’s clear that only the Liberal Democrats can beat the Conservatives in Romsey and Southampton North, it’s neck and neck here and every vote will count. 

“People are telling me they’re fed up with years of chaos, dishonesty and neglect under this out-of-touch Conservative government. However, we must remember, this government will only need a majority of one to stay in power. Every Conservative MP must be held accountable for the damage they have done to this country and its reputation. 

“After years of struggling to get a GP appointment, soaring rents and mortgages and our rivers being polluted by filthy sewage and our country a pushed to the international sidelines, it’s time for a change.

“As the next MP for Romsey and Southampton North my focus would be standing up for local health services, tackling the sewage scandal and being a strong voice for our community in Parliament.”

The Labour candidate is Christie Lambert, a Southampton city councillor. She said: "The entire country breathed a sigh of relief when the Prime Minister called for the general election as it finally means the end of this Conservative catastrophe. The past 14 years have led to some of the worst economic decisions this country has ever seen, and, sadly, the British public have paid a heavy price for their mismanagement.

"As a local councillor and Cabinet member, I am acutely aware of the struggles our hardworking constituents are facing, and right now they feel they have to scream to be heard. They have lost faith in their government, and rightly so. I firmly believe a Labour government is the one and only way Romsey and Southampton North will see the changes we so desperately need to see.

Christie Lambert: Labour candidate in Romsey and Southampton North (Image: Christie Lambert)

"Crime rates continue to rise, and yet, we aren’t seeing a proportional allocation of policing resources to our area. Our water supply is polluted with copious amounts of sewage yet the culpable parties have not been held to account, and our NHS is no longer fit for purpose due to being under-resourced for so many years. The Conservatives are collectively responsible for this utter failure, and I firmly believe that only a Labour government could even begin to undo this disaster. I promise, if elected, to go beyond polling day, and fight for Romsey and Southampton North to become the cleaner, greener, safe haven it deserves to be."

A July election is earlier than many in Westminster had expected, with a contest in October or November widely thought to have been more likely.

Mr Sunak’s announcement came after the Office for National Statistics said Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation slowed to 2.3 per cent in April, down from 3.2 per cent in March.