Prospective Richmond Park MPs have already been making statements following Rishi Sunak's announcement of a July general election on Wednesday, May 22.

The prime minister confirmed locals will head to the polls on Thursday 4 July, and said: "Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future."

Richmond Park Parliamentary Candidates 2024

• Labour - Laura Coryton
• Conservative - Sara Gezdari
• Liberal Democrats - Sarah Olney (incumbent)
• Green - Chas Warlow
• Reform UK - Michael Hearn

Sarah Olney is the current Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park and she will be running again on 4 July 2024 (credit: Sarah Olney).

Reacting to Rishi Sunak calling a general election, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, Sarah Olney said: "At this election, there is a clear choice: the Liberal Democrats who are fighting for our communities or the out-of-touch Conservatives who have taken us for granted. Labour are out of the race here and just can't win this time."

"Everything I've done since I became your MP has been about fighting for local people and standing by your side on the issues that matter to our community. I am determined to continue working hard for Richmond and Kingston and being the strong voice we need in Parliament. 

"It's clear this Conservative Government has failed Richmond and Kingston. After years of struggling to get a GP appointment, soaring rents and mortgages and our rivers being polluted by filthy sewage, it's time for this Government to be kicked out of office."

Laura Croyton earned an MBE in the 2024 New Years Honours list for services to Charitable Campaigning (credit: @UKLabour/X).

Laura Coryton MBE, Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate for Richmond Park said: "Thrilled by the news of an early general election. The Labour Party is ready.

"This is a chance to turn the page on 14 years of Tory Government and to chart a new course for the country.

"Together, we can rebuild our country and give Richmond Park a strong voice in government."

Chas Warlow is a Green Party Councillor in Richmond upon Thames, elected in 2022 (credit: Richmond and Twickenham Green Party).

Chas Warlow, Councillor for South Richmond and Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for Richmond Park said: "It's about time! Things can only get better once we have seen the back of this blundering Conservative government - from sewage in our rivers to the Post Office scandal to missing our carbon reduction targets, this government seems to be free falling.

"The Green Party is the only party voters can trust to stick to our principles of creating a sustainable future.

"We need affordable housing rather than luxury developments, we need renewable energy instead of fossil fuels, we need an economy for the common good rather than for private gain. 

My advice to Rishi Sunak is - go, walk out the door, turn around now, you're not welcome anymore. Hopefully we'll wake up on 5 July to a lovely day."

The Conservatives, Workers Party and Reform UK have been approached for comment.

We want to provide Richmond with more and more clickbait-free local news. To do that, we need a loyal newsletter following. Help us survive and sign up for our free weekly newsletter by clicking the link HERE.