ST HELENS’ MPs have been reacting to the news of Prime Minister Theresa May calling a snap general election for June 8 – with Marie Rimmer describing it as a “fight for the future of Britain”.

Mrs May was set to table a motion in the House of Commons yesterday (Wednesday) and has called on MPs to back the election.

St Helens North MP Conor McGinn and MP for St Helens South and Whiston Marie Rimmer confirmed to the Star they will both be seeking re-election. Ms Rimmer said the election would be about “the desperate need for a fair deal for Britain”.

The next election was not due until 2020 but a poll can be called before then if backed by two thirds of MPs – or if there is a no confidence vote in the Government.

Mrs May says an election is the only way to secure stability ahead of Brexit.

In the St Helens campaign, the issue of building on green belt is expected to be a major issue.

James Wright, chair of Rainford Action Group, said: “We will be asking all candidates standing in St Helens North to guarantee they will oppose any release of green belt land in Rainford and challenge St Helens Council’s plans for our village.”

“We believe the council’s plans to build on seven green belt sites in Rainford, growing the village by a third and destroying productive and precious countryside, are totally unreasonable.”

Reacting to Mrs May’s announcement, Mr McGinn said: “It has been a huge honour to represent St Helens North as a Labour MP over the last two years and I will be putting my name forward to seek re-election on June 8. I will be standing on my record locally as a community-focussed MP who has worked hard in every part of St Helens North for all the people of St Helens North. In Parliament I have championed our community, promoting its successes and encouraging its ambitions.”

Ms Rimmer said: “The Government has many duties to balance, not just Brexit. And this Tory government has failed on the economy, the cost of living, health, schools and housing. The election is about the desperate need for a fair deal for Britain .”

It has been suggested Liverpool City Region mayoral elections could be postponed from May 4 and rearranged on the same date as the planned general election.