Prime minister Rishi Sunak set the July 4th date for the poll in an announcement this afternoon reports David Floyd

Ed Miliband and Labour activists pictured in front of a van featuring Labour's election pledges — Former Labour leader Ed Miliband with Chipping Barnet candidate Dan Tomlinson in Cockfosters last week

The prime minister Rishi Sunak has announced that there will be a general election on July 4th firing the starting gun on contests in Barnet’s three marginal seats.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street this evening, the Conservative leader said: “I came to office above all to restore economic stability”

Before adding “Our economy is now growing faster than anyone has predicted” and “This has proved that the plan and priorities I set out are working.”

He said: “Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future” explaining that he had asked the King for a dissolution of parliament and that request had been granted.

Responding to the announcement, Labour leader Keir Starmer called for voters to support his party saying: “We will stop the chaos.”

He added: “If [the Conservatives] get another five years they will feel entitled to carry on exactly as they are” and “Our offer is to reset both our economy and our politics.”

The election announcement heralds the official beginning of highly anticipated battles to represent local voters in the Chipping Barnet, Finchley & Golders Green and Hendon constituencies, all of which are currently held by the Conservatives but where Labour is hopeful of victory following its victory in the 2022 Barnet Council election.

In Chipping Barnet, incumbent MP Theresa Villiers is protecting a majority of just 1,212 in her contest with Labour’s Dan Tomlinson, who joined former Labour leader Ed Miliband to promote Labour six election in Cockfosters last week.

In Finchley and Golders Green, current MP Mike Freer is stepping down at the general election following death threats and an arson attack on his constituency office. Alex Deane was selected in March as the new Conservative candidate. Freer had a majority of 6,562 in 2019 but this was significantly affected by the fact that former Labour MP Luciana Berger came second for the Liberal Democrats. This time around, Deane’s main challenger will be Labour’s Sarah Sackman.

Hendon also sees a new Conservative candidate. Current MP Matthew Offord, who won last time with a majority of 4,230 is stepping down and Ameet Jogia, an adviser to Rishi Sunak is running to replace him. He faces a strong challenge from Labour’s David Pinto-Duschinsky who came second in 2019.

The upcoming election will also a new part constituency entering the borough’s political landscape, with Friern Barnet ward joining the new Hornsey and Friern Barnet constituency, which is primarily comprised of the Hornsey and Wood Green constituency represented by Labour’s Catherine West. She is not expected to face a close content for reelection.

UPDATE: This story was updated to include comments by Keir Starmer

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