PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak has called a general election for July 4.

The UK will head to the polls to select their MP in the next Parliament, with many predicting a bitter campaign over the next six weeks or so.

Here in the Vale, we thought we would give a picture of where things currently stand.

Perhaps surprisingly – and as an indication of how unexpected the PM’s decision to go to the country was – a number of candidates for the major parties have not yet been selected.

So below is a breakdown of who has been confirmed as standing on July 4, as well as a summation of the current predictions for the seat from polling website, Electoral Calculus and, where available, the bookies’ odds for who will win the vote…

North Dorset

Currently represented by Simon Hoare (Con), the North Dorset seat is widely regarded as a safe seat for the Conservatives.

Labour is yet to announce a candidate (perhaps representative of how strongly they are targeting the seat) but the Lib Dems are pushing their candidate, Gary Jackson, very hard as the party looks to capitalise on recent by-election wins – including in nearby Somerton & Frome.

Reform are also running here, with candidate Ash Leaning, while Ken Huggins is standing for the Green Party.

Reflecting the ‘safeness’ of the seat, Electoral Calculus gives the Conservatives a 75% chance of holding North Dorset, with Labour on 21% and Reform and the Lib Dems on 2%. The bookies are also backing a Tory hold.

Betting odds (from Bet365):

Conservatives – 1/16
Labour – 9/1
Lib Dems – 50/1
Reform UK – 66/1
Green Party – 150/1

West Dorset

It’s an altogether different story elsewhere in the county, however, with the West Dorset seat looking more competitive.

Despite only ever being represented by the Conservatives (bar Oliver Letwin having the Conservative whip withdrawn over his stance on Brexit during the Boris Johnson/Dominic Cummings purge of 2019), incumbent Chris Loder (Con) is facing a battle to hang on to his seat, with the Lib Dems targeting the constituency strongly, with Edward Morello running.

Again, Labour has not selected a candidate, with Reform UK also not yet announcing a hopeful.

The Green Party, however, is set to put Kevlin Clayton forward on July 4.

This will be a tight race and could be a bellwether for the election as a whole.

Electoral Calculus gives the Conservatives a 28% chance of holding it, while the Lib Dems have a 63% chance of taking it. Labour are on 8%, Reform UK, 1%.

Betting odds (from Bet365):

Liberal Democrats – 8/15
Conservatives – 6/4
Labour – 20/1
Reform UK – 150/1
Green Party – 200/1

South West Wiltshire

In its current form – since 2010 – the South West Wiltshire seat has only been held by one person, Andrew Murrison (Con).

With a majority of more than 21,000, it is seen as a safe seat for the Tories – but that doesn’t tell the whole story.

Here, Labour has selected London councillor Evelyn Akoto to fight the seat, while Reform UK has Garry Irvin running. Bret Palmer is standing for the Lib Dems, and Fay Whitfield for the Green Party – and models are showing a shock could be in the offing.

Electoral Calculus models give Labour a 62% chance of taking the seat. The Conservatives are on 29%, while Reform UK sit on 5% and the Lib Dems on 4%. The bookies too make it very close, with Labour at even money, despite the large Conservative majority. Could be one to watch on July 4…

Betting odds (from Bet365):

Labour – 1/1
Conservatives – 11/10
Reform UK – 9/1
Lib Dems – 20/1
Green Party – 200/1

Frome & East Somerset

Another new seat, Frome & East Somerset boasts a long list of confirmed candidates, including an independent.

Frome assumes a greater importance under the new boundaries, which could be significant, as it is known for the home of a strong, independent town council and strong Green Party representation in national votes, making it very unpredictable.

Electoral Calculus agrees, with this seat up in the air.

The Conservatives are favourites to take it – just – with a 36% chance. They are followed by Labour, on 33%, and the Lib Dems on 31%.

It could all come down to how the vote splits – including the independent – which the Tories will hope means they can squeeze in with a minority of the vote.

Betting odds (from Bet365): n/a

Glastonbury & Somerton

Another new seat, encompassing places such as Wincanton, Martock and Milborne Port, and another broad slate of candidates.

Glastonbury & Somerton features the incumbent Somerton & Frome MP – Wincanton farmer Sarah Dyke (Lib Dem) – who romped to victory in a 2023 by-election after the resignation of Conservative MP David Warburton.

The changes make this a touch unpredictable, as the new seat includes both Somerton and Langport, alongside Glastonbury.

Electoral Calculus has it firmly in the Lib Dem camp though, perhaps on the back of Ms Dyke’s huge win last year, giving the party an 85% chance of winning, with the Conservatives way back on 14%.

Betting odds (from Bet365):

Liberal Democrats – 8/15
Conservatives – 11/8
Labour – 33/1
Reform – 125/1
Green Party – 150/1