Live reaction following general election announcement for 4th July

After around 24 hours of speculation and rumours, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has officially announced the date of the next general election.

While our neighbours across the pond will be lighting fireworks and celebrating independence day, the 4th July 2024 will see the British public heading to the polls to vote for their MP.

We will be updating this page with live reaction from businesses and other organisations as it is sent to us.

CPRE director of policy, campaigns and communications Elli Moody said: 'This general election will be make or break for the countryside.  

'We call on all political parties to recognise the value of the countryside and the role it can play in tackling the challenges that face our country and our planet. 

'The next government will be faced with era-defining decisions on housing, environmental protections and energy supply. These will have big impacts on rural communities and our finite supply of land. We urge all political parties to think about the future while tackling the priorities of today. 

'Decisive action is required to protect our green spaces at the same time as delivering the genuinely affordable housing people are crying out for up and down the country. 

'To decarbonise our energy system, we need to unlock the potential of our rooftops to deliver clean and sustainable electricity while upgrading our crumbling energy grid.  

'The climate emergency is the biggest threat to the countryside. We need a long-term, cross-departmental vision for how we manage and use land across England and a planning system with local communities at its heart.  

'With enough political will, it is possible to build a Britain fit for the future and protect the countryside for everyone's benefit.'  

Chambers call for business and the economy to be placed at the top of the agenda for campaigns

Ross McNally, Chief Executive and Executive Chairman of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We welcome the Prime Minister’s decision to go for a summer election.

"There has been so much speculation about timing and the economy cannot hang around in uncertainty any longer.

"Whichever party wins, they must champion a comprehensive strategy for enterprise backed by fiscal measures that can make it work.

"Now that we are finally post-Brexit, we are competing on a global stage for skills, productivity and investment.

"We need to back Britain and the best way for government to do that is to support British industry while making skills a central focus alongside stable finances.

"Whoever wins, they must have the courage to put business front and centre so that money comes back into the economy through growth and prosperity and can fund the essential public services we all rely on in a sustainable, long-term way.”

Ian Girling, Chief Executive of Dorset Chamber, said: “An early general election is to be welcomed to bring much needed clarity to the future direction of the country and our economy.

“Whatever the colour of the next government, we need decisive leadership and meaningful policies and support which place business at the top of the agenda.

“A prompt growth plan must be embedded across the regions as soon as feasible after the election, including Dorset, to put our economy on a stable footing and primed for growth.

“In the meantime, I would urge our political parties and their candidates to place the economy at the heart of their campaigns for its critical importance in the future of our country, its people and businesses.

“A strong economy underlies everything from funding for the NHS, defence spending and jobs creation to community support and social coherence. Giving business in Dorset and nationwide the support they need is absolutely fundamental to achieving this goal.”

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