Prime Minister announces general election

Voters in North Devon 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 in North Devon, will soon have the opportunity to decide who should run the country. 

Selaine Saxby, the Conservative MP for North Devon, who was first elected in the 2019 general election with a majority of 14,813 votes (26.6 percent), will be seeking re-election. 

Ms Saxby made history as the first female MP for the constituency.

Sir Geoffrey Cox, the Conservative MP for Torridge and West Devon, also looks to retain his seat. Cox, who 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).

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