The speculation is finally over as a date has been finally set for a General Election.

Prime minister Rishi Sunak confirmed today (May 22) that July 4 is the date that Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex residents will go to the polls.

Many candidates have already thrown their hats into the ring for election around our patch. They include:

Farnham & Bordon: Farnham, Bordon, Haslemere, Liphook, Grayshott areas

Confirmed Prospective Parliamentary Candidates for Farnham & Bordon include Gerrard Hall (Reform), Alex Just (Labour), Gregory Stafford (Conservatives) and Khalil Yousuf (Liberal Democrats) with the winner being the inaugural MP for the new constituency.

East Hampshire: Alton, Petersfield, Four Marks, Liss, South of Butser areas

Confirmed Prospective Parliamentary Candidates for East Hampshire include Dominic Martin (Liberal Democrats), Lucy Sims (Labour) and Sara Smith (Social Democratic Party) with Conservative Damian Hinds being the current MP.

Arundel and South Downs: The Hartings, Rother Valley, Milland and Fernhurst areas

Confirmed Prospective Parliamentary Candidates for Arundel and South Downs include Richard Allen (Liberal Democrats), David Andrews (New Open Non-Political Organised Leadership), Andrew Griffin (Conservatives), Stephen McAuliffe (Greens) and Chris Philipsborn (Labour).