Ten top Tories in danger of losing their seats on 4 July

Rishi Sunak has finally fired the starting gun on the general election campaign, stunning Westminster by calling a snap poll for 4 July, ending months of speculation.

- MATT MATHERS

In a speech in the pouring rain outside 10 Downing Street, the prime minister defended his record on the economy, national security and immigration as he set out the key battleground issues he intends to campaign on over the next six weeks.

The election, he said, would be a choice between himself and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who vowed to end Tory “chaos” and bring back economic “stability” during his own election address.

Voters will indeed choose between the two party leaders at the ballot box. But they will also select their local MPs – 650 to be precise – and there are several Conservative Party big beasts at risk of being ejected from the Commons, with Labour commanding lead in the polls.

Jeremy Hunt

Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, is perhaps the most high-profile Tory MP at risk during the summer election. Mr Hunt, who has served in the cabinet almost continually since 2010, is defending a majority of 8,817 in the new Godalming and Ash constituency, which takes in parts of Mr Hunt’s current South West Surrey seat.

A majority that big would usually leave the incumbent safe, but the size of the swing away from the Tories means Mr Hunt, a former health secretary, faces a battle to hang on in the “blue wall” seat.

The Liberal Democrats will be the main challengers in the seat. The party took control of Surrey Heath Council in May 2023 and has also become the largest party in Waverley Borough Council in Mr Hunt’s area.