Prospective new politicians have already been making statements following Rishi Sunak's announcement of a July general election yesterday (May 22).

The prime minister confirmed locals will head to the polls on Thursday 4 July, and said: "Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future."

And in Warwick and Leamington Conservative candidate James Uffindell said he is "excited" for the coming weeks of campaigning.

"The Prime Minister has called the general election at a time where the economy has seen the fastest growth in years and inflation has fallen to 2.3 per cent," he said.

"It is clear that Rishi Sunak's plan for the economy is working and having led us through a nationwide recovery after the pandemic and a war in Europe, he is the right person to lead this country into a brighter future.

"I am excited to continue to have conversations with voters across Warwick, Royal Leamington Spa, Whitnash, Bishop's Tachbrook, Radford Semele and our rural areas, and assure them if elected, I will be an MP who listens, responds and is on their side."

In the 2019 election the Tories came a close second to Labour's Matt Western, with the margin standing at just 800 votes.

And with such a marginal seat up for grabs, Mr Western said "bring it on" as he seeks to be elected once again.

"It has been the honour of my life to serve as the Member of Parliament for the area I have called home for 20 years," he said.

"Moving here in 2004, I would never have dreamed that I would end up representing our towns and villages in Parliament but it has been an utter privilege to do so and I would love to continue. 

"People are calling out for change and the Prime Minister has finally announced the General Election people across the country have been desperately demanding for months. 

"I am standing once again as the Labour candidate hoping to be re-elected as your local MP. Let's turn the page on this chapter of Conservative chaos and decline. Let's get Britain's future back and deliver the change we so urgently need. 

"Bring it on!"

Meanwhile local Green Party candidate Hema YellaPragada said the Tories have "run out of steam" and said the Greens offer an "ambitious" plan for Warwick and Leamington.

Hema YellaPragada (right) is standing for the Greens in Warwick and Leamington (image supplied)

"The Conservatives have run out of steam and stopped governing long ago - it's definitely time for this election," she said. 

"Neither of the old parties, Conservatives or Labour are offering the ambition or the commitment to address the cost of living crisis and environmental challenges. The Conservatives know they can't win in Warwick and Leamington and are desperately defending seats elsewhere. 

"As the largest party on Warwick District Council, Greens are showing they can deliver sensible, financially sustainable government while pursuing evidence-based solutions to address energy security and protect and enhance our green spaces. 

"It's time to take that Green can-do approach to central government and fix our broken politics."