Winchester reacts as July 4 General Election confirmed

As previously reported, the Prime Minister announced the upcoming election outside Downing Street on Wednesday, May 22. The election will fall on Thursday, July 4.

Local people have reacted to the news with a mix of excitement and apathy.

Alresford resident Gerald Turner, 78, said: “I’m not really bothered. At the end of the day, I’m a pensioner and so is my wife, and it does not really affect us.

Gerald Turner (Image: Chris Atkinson)

“We get up in the morning and it is the same thing.”

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Emma Street, Katherine Tutton and Tabitha Smith, who were meeting for a morning coffee, said they were not surprised that an election had been called.

They said: “It is time. But equally, we are a bit indifferent. They are all as bad as each other.

L-R: Katherine Tutton, Tabitha Salisbury and Emma Street (Image: Chris Atkinson)

“The Tories will probably go out.”

Bus driver Jason Barker, 51, from Southampton, said: “I think (Rishi Sunak) is clutching at straws.

“He is like the captain of the Titanic – it is a sinking ship and it is the last thing he wanted but he knows he has no chance.”

Jason Barker (Image: Chris Atkinson)

Student Joe McHuch said he was apathetic about it.

He told the Chronicle: “They are all as bad as each other. When they come in they say this and that and it gets worse for everyone.

Joe McHuch (Image: Chris Atkinson)

“That is all that happens.”

CEX worker Robert Morrison, 47, from Basingstoke, said: “It is about time. It is a bit rubbish at the moment. It is good it will be earlier this year – rather now than at Christmas time.”

Robert Morrison (Image: Chris Atkinson)

The Liberal Democrat and Conservative candidates for Winchester, Danny Chambers and Flick Drummond respectively, have also reacted to the news.

Mr Chambers called the election a “Once-in-a-generation chance to kick the Conservatives out of power.”

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He continued: “This is one of the closest seats in the country. It’s clear that only the Liberal Democrats can beat the Conservatives in Winchester. It’s neck and neck here and every vote will count.

“People are telling me they’re fed up with years of chaos under this out-of-touch Conservative government.

“After years of struggling to get a GP appointments, soaring rents and mortgages and our rivers being polluted by filthy sewage, it’s time for a change in Winchester.”

Mrs Drummond said she is looking forward to talking about local issues with Winchester residents, saying: “The choice is a simple one. Vote for Keir Starmer who has no plan for the country or for Rishi Sunak and the government continuing with their plan to supercharge the economy, to get immigration under control and delivering a new state of the art hospital for residents of Winchester.

“So look out for me on your doorstep. I'm really looking forward to getting out to campaign and let's hope on July 4 I will be the new MP for Winchester.”