On the 18th April, Theresa May announced that there will be an early general election held in just 7 weeks’ time. This unexpected and seemingly rushed decision has been made, according to The Independent, because Theresa May thinks “Division in Westminster will risk our ability to make a success of Brexit, and it will cause damaging uncertainty and instability to the country”. Her speech on Downing Street a few days ago went on to explain that “we need a general election and we need one now… while the European Union agrees its negotiating position and before the detailed talks begin”.
The 2015 general election showed us that local areas of Wimbledon and Merton have a difference in opinion. The Wimbledon MP voted was Stephen William Hammond, a member of the Conservative Party winning 52% of the votes – a clear win. However Mitcham and Merton elected Siobhain Ann McDonagh, a member of the Labour Party who won 61% of the votes, an even more impressive feat. These statistics may give us some indication as to how this year’s election could turn out locally, however these contrasting results don’t give us much confirmation as to which political party will be elected in June.
Since the announcement there have been many responses made by politicians, including the labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, stating that he “welcome[s] the Prime Minister’s decision to give the British people the chance to vote for a government that will put the interests of the majority first” going on to confirm that "Labour will be offering the country an effective alternative to a government that has failed to rebuild the economy, delivered falling living standards and damaging cuts to our schools and NHS." With such a strong and no-nonsense response, it is clear that Corbyn is going to fight for this election.
https://democracy.merton.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=45
https://democracy.merton.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=47
