Altrincham constituents are set to go back to the ballot box after Prime Minister Theresa May today called a snap general election for Thursday June 8th.
In a surprise announcement outside Downing Street this morning, May said the country needed certainty, stability and strong leadership following the EU referendum.
There will now be a Commons vote on the proposed election tomorrow in order to ratify the decision.
Graham Brady, the incumbent Altrincham and Sale West MP, said: “In the ten months since she became Prime Minister Theresa May has shown that she has the strength and determination to be a great leader for our country in uncertain times. Her calm and steady approach is exactly what is needed.
“She believes that a fresh mandate will help her to deliver the best outcomes for the national interest and I am fully behind her in seeking a resounding endorsement from the British people.”
May has previously rejected calls for a snap election, but said today that her change of heart was the “only way to guarantee certainty and security for years ahead”.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he “welcomed” 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”.
Tim Farron, the Lib Dem leader, added: “This election is your chance to change the direction of our country.
“If you want to avoid a disastrous hard Brexit. If you want to keep Britain in the single market. If you want a Britain that is open, tolerant and united, this is your chance.”
The election will take place before the results of a review of Parliamentary constituency boundaries, as announced in September.
The Boundary Commission’s proposals would see the Altrincham and Sale West constituency replaced by a new Altrincham and Tatton Park seat.
It’s all part of plans to reduce the number of parliamentary constituencies by 50 to 600.
But with those plans not going forward for ratification until October 2018, the constituency will remain Altrincham and Sale West for June 8th.
Conservative candidate Brady retained the seat in 2015 with an increased majority of 13,290.
Brady, who has been MP in the constituency since 1997, polled 26,771 votes, 53% of the vote and up 4% of his performance in 2010.
