Prime minister Rishi Sunak has fired the starting gun for the general election race – with candidates set to go to the polls on 4 July 2024.

There's been a boundary change in the Rutland area, with a new seat in the Commons for Rutland and Stamford rather than Rutland and Melton.

Search and view the new constituency boundaries here.

The full list of candidates who have so far been announced are:

• James Moore (Lib Dem)
• Christopher Clowes (Reform)
• Emma Louise Baker (Green)
• Alicia Kearns (Conservative - currently holds the Rutland and Melton seat)
• Joe Wood (Labour)

Other parties are due to announce their candidates before the June 7 nomination deadline.

And at Oakham Nub News, we will be introducing you to the candidates ahead of the elections.

First up, we have the Green Candidate, Emma Louise Baker, who said: "My name is Emma Baker and I am introducing myself as the Green Party candidate for Rutland and Stamford. Hello!

"I am a secondary school teacher in Stamford and a Green Party councillor at South Kesteven District Council. I have two children who attend a local primary school.

"I want to know what your issues are and discuss them with you as each area of this constituency has varying needs as does each individual or family. as your MP I am here to speak for you in Westminster.

"As a party we are calling for action against climate change and wildlife depletion. Working with farmers and agriculturalists to support them recovering from what has been an incredibly challenging few years. On top of that we stand for the NHS to be properly funded so that the services are accessible and good. We want fair taxes and will have a fully costed manifesto. We want the right houses in the right places. This means building on brownfield sites wherever possible.

"Please consider voting Green on 4 July for Real Hope. Real Change."