Harwich General Election Candidates respond to July snap election

Rishi Sunak has called a general election for July 4, saying it is “the moment for Britain to choose its future”.

The Prime Minister has gambled improved inflation figures and a recovering economy will help him overturn Labour’s 20-point opinion poll lead.

Incompetence - Liberal Democrat candidate Natalie Sommers said the past governments had showed incompetence for 'too long' (Image: Submitted)

Natalie Sommers, the Liberal Democrat’s parliamentary candidate for Harwich and North Essex said: “It’s about time.

“This government has been continuing with it incompetence for far too long, and it's about time the country gets it's say."

Backwards- Professor Andrew Canessa said the country had gone backwards over the last government (Image: University of Essex)

Professor Andrew Canessa, the Green Party's parliamentary candidate, has also had his say.

Referring to the Prime Minister saying "we can't risk going back to square one" in his speech, he said: "It depends on what you think square one is. 

"But most people would much rather go back to the time before the Tories came to power. 

"Square one doesn't look so bad compared to where we are now."

Risk - Sir Bernard Jenkin the Conservative's candidate for Harwich and North Essex said growth such as low inflation was at risk if Labour were to be elected (Image: Conservatives)

Sir Bernard Jenkin is the Conservative Party's candidate for Harwich and North Essex.

He said: "It is right for Rishi Sunak to end the uncertainty for the country.

"I welcome the opportunity to stand for re-election in Harwich and North Essex, offering my 30 years' experience representing local and national interests in parliament.

"Inflation is down, growth is up and we have record job creation, reducing taxes on those in work and £900 per year increase for pensioners - all this is at risk if there is a Labour government."

Polls - Labour candidate Alex Diner said the Labour party was party to be able to beat the Conservatives in the seat based on the latest polls (Image: Alex Diner)

Alex Diner, the Labour candidate for Harwich and North Essex, however, said: “After 14 years of chaos, incompetence and division, the country is desperate for change.

“Labour will deliver economic stability, cut NHS waiting times and strengthen our borders.

“The polls show Labour are the only party who can beat the Tories in Harwich and North Essex

“Only by voting Labour can we turn the page on this disastrous government and deliver the fresh start the country needs."

Announcement - Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made the July 4 General Election announcement today (Image: Submitted)

Prime Minister Rish Sunak made the announcement outside No 10 on Wednesday as D:Ream’s Things Can Only Get Better - the song which soundtracked Labour’s 1997 general election campaign - was blared out.

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

He said that was a “major milestone” for the country, with inflation now “back to normal” levels.