THERESA May has called a snap General Election next month, claiming that divisions at Westminster risked hampering the Brexit negotiations – and the district’s candidates have been confirmed.

Having secured the support of two-thirds of MPs to go to the polls, with a vote in the Commons on April 19, as required by the Fixed Term Parliament Act, Parliament was dissolved on May 3, and campaigning began for an early election.

The move was said to have “stunned” Westminster as Mrs May had repeatedly insisted she would not seek a General Election before the scheduled 2020 poll.

But the Prime Minister, who has a fragile working majority of just 17 in the Commons, said she wanted “unity” at Westminster as talks on Brexit begin in earnest with the European Union.

As a result, East Hampshire’s voters have until Monday (May 22) to register for the General Election or miss their chance to have their say.

The nation will go to the polls on Thursday, June 8 – but only those who have registered to vote by the May 22 deadline will be allowed to vote.

Sandy Hopkins, returning officer for East Hampshire District Council (EHDC), said: “Next month’s election will be a vital milestone in our country’s future and it will have a massive impact on the direction this country takes for years to come.

“If you want to take part in this election you must get on the electoral register by May 22. Once that deadline has passed you will have no voice in the coming vote and no say in how our country is run.

“Voting is not only a right but is also a duty for every resident that cares for their home town, their county and their country.”

She added: “Registering to vote is easy and quick. You can do it online in a matter of moments or contact our elections team and they will help you.”

Voters who will not be able to make it to their polling station on June 8 can still have their say through postal votes or proxy votes.

The deadline for applying for a postal vote is May 23 while proxy votes can be arranged up until May 31.

To register to vote, visit gov.uk/register-to-vote, call the elections team on 01730 234350, or e-mail [email protected].

The candidates for East Hampshire have now been declared. They are (in alphabetical order): Rohit Kumar Dasgupta (Labour), Damian Patrick George Hinds (Conservative), Susan Christine Jerrard (The Justice and Anti-Corruption Party), Richard Godfrey Knight (Green Party), and Richard Anthony Robinson (Liberal Democrat).