The names of the people seeking to become MP in the two New Forest constituencies have been announced.

Rishi Sunak’s decision to call a general election for Thursday, July 4, has seen a campaign kick off all over the country.

The New Forest is split into two constituencies - east and west.

New Forest East

In New Forest East, Conservative Sir Julian Lewis will be aiming to make it an eighth win in succession.

Five years ago he cemented the retention of the seat with a 49.7 per cent majority – his largest to date.

The New Forest District Council wards that make up the constituency are Ashurst, Bramshaw, Copythorne and Netley Marsh; Brockenhurst and Denny Lodge; Dibden and Dibden Purlieu; Fawley, Blackfield, Calshot and Langley; Forest and Solent; Hardley, Holbury and North Blackfield; Hythe Central; Hythe South; Lyndhurst and Minstead; Marchwood and Eling; Sway; Totton Central; Totton North; and Totton South.

The candidates residents can vote for in New Forest East and the parties they represent are as follows:

  • Mad Hatter – Official Monster Raving Loony Party
  • Simon Graham King – Green Party
  • Andrew David Knight – Animal Welfare Party – People, Animals, Environment
  • Julian Murray Lewis – The Conservative Party Candidate
  • Sasjkia Otto – Labour Party
  • Caroline Louise Rackham – Liberal Democrats
  • Roy Swales – Reform UK

New Forest West

Conservative Sir Desmond Swayne is looking to continue as the only person to represent New Forest West as its MP since it was created in 1997.

Sir Desmond has won seven elections in a row for the New Forest West seat, growing his majority from an initial 22.8 per cent to 48.5 per cent five years ago.

He was parliamentary private secretary to Prime Minister David Cameron for two years during the early period of the coalition government.

The New Forest District Council wards that make up the constituency are Ashley, Bashley and Fernhill; Ballard; Barton and Becton; Bransgore; Burley; Sopley and Ringwood East; Downlands and Forest North; Fordingbridge, Godshill and Hyde; Lymington; Milford and Hordle; Milton; Pennington; Ringwood North and Ellingham; and Ringwood South.

The candidates residents can vote for in New Forest West and the parties they represent are as follows:

  • Reginald Phillip Chester-Sterne – Reform UK
  • Anna Collar – Green Party
  • Jack Davies – Liberal Democrats
  • Sally Johnston – Labour Party
  • Gavin Sean Ridley – Animal Welfare Party – People, Animals, Environment
  • Paul David Simon – Social Democratic Party
  • Desmond Angus Swayne – The Conservative Party Candidate