THE FIGHT to get to Westminster is on in Worcester after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a summer general election. 

Mr Sunak has announced people in Worcester will go to the polls on Thursday, July 4. 

Worcester's current MP Robin Walker (Conservative) will not be standing for re-election. 

The Conservatives have selected current Worcestershire Transport chief Cllr Marc Bayliss as their candidate, while Labour have put Tom Collins forward to be the city's next MP.

Lib Dem candidate Mel Allcott and Green nominee Tor Pingree, both currently on Worcester City Council, have also been announced. 

Conservative- Marc Bayliss 'surprised but ready' by election announcement

Mr Bayliss said he was as surprised as anyone else by the election announcement- but added he was ready for the fight. 

“I’ve served the people of Worcester for over 23 years in a variety of roles, I love Worcester, I’ve lived here since 1995, it’s a beautiful city and it’s been an honour to bring up my children here. 

“We will see our national manifesto in the coming weeks, but locally, I will fight for the things people in Worcester want further improvements on. 

"These include improvements in terms of transport, attracting high quality and high paid jobs to the city, and further improvements in accessing GPs and dentists."

Mr Bayliss added he also wants to see greater access to good education for those with special educational needs. 

"I love this city, it would be the honour of my life to serve it in Parliament and I will be Worcester’s man in Westminster, not Westminster’s man in Worcester."

Labour- 'Let's get Britain's future back' says Tom Collins

Labour's candidate Tom Collins said it was 'time for change' in a video statement on social media following the election announcement. 

He said: "This is our chance to build a better Britain and a brighter future here in Worcester. 

"After 14 years of Conservative government families are worse off, we're less safe and have fewer opportunities. 

"But there is hope, we know that things can be better."

Mr Collins pledged to help Labour get the NHS 'back on its feet, get Britain building again and switch on Great British energy.

And he said he would look to break down barriers to opportunity. 

Liberal Democrats- 'It's time for real change' feels Mel Allcott

Lib Dem candidate Cllr Mel Allcott said she feels this general election is the 'people's time or change.'

She said: “I think it’s about time this was called, it’s long overdue and people are fed up of this government taking us for granted.

“Our key campaign messages will be on improvements to the NHS and the economy in the cost of living crisis.

"The Tories can talk about inflation going down all they want it pales into insignificance when we’re talking about people’s bills."

Ms Allcott added the environment was a huge issue, particularly tackling sewage dumping which she said was a big issue locally.

And she said flooding in Worcester was gradually getting worse and needed addressing, adding she would look at more creative ideas around using the River Severn as a heat source to generate energy.

 

Green Party- Tor Pingree says 'having more Greens in the room makes a difference'
 

Green Party candidate Cllr Tor Pingree said she was 'really excited' by the news of the general election. 

Ms Pingree added her party was feeling 'really positive' about it as in the Worcester City Council elections earlier this month they 'won the popular vote.'

“If I am elected, I am campaigning on the environment and how can we make Worcester a more thriving place economically while introducing more green ideas.

"We must also prepare for the environmental change in Worcester, flooding is getting much worse and we need to address how we can prepare for the future. 

"It would be fantastic to get more Greens in Parliament, as we’ve seen on the city council, having more Greens in the room really makes a difference."