Prime Minister announces general election

Voters on Dartmoor will soon be able to decide who they want to run the country after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak officially announced today (May 22) that the next general election will take place on Thursday, July 4. 

The announcement came following a specially scheduled Cabinet meeting that began at 4.15pm today and followed a day of feverish speculation in the media.

Cabinet ministers, including Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, arrived in Downing Street this afternoon amid heightened anticipation. 

Mr Shapps delayed an overseas trip to attend the crucial meeting, highlighting the significance of today's proceedings.

The Home Office reportedly cleared ministers' diaries ahead of the meeting, signalling the importance of the announcement. 

During the Cabinet session, Prime Minister Sunak informed his ministers of his decision to call the general election, marking the start of a critical period in British politics.

With the election date set for early July, voters across the country, including those across Dartmoor, will soon have the opportunity to decide who should run the country. 

Sir Geoffrey Cox, the Conservative MP for Torridge and West Devon, entered the House of Commons on May 5, 2005, was re-elected in 2019 with a historic 60.1 percent of the vote and a majority of 24,992 votes (41.8 percent).

Mel Stride, the Conservative MP for Central Devon, has been in office since 2010. 

Mr Stride was re-elected in the 2019 general election with an increased vote share of 55.3 percent and an increased majority of 17,721 votes.

The BBC reported that parliament is scheduled to be dissolved next week, initiating the official election campaign period.