IT has already been six weeks since Prime Minister Theresa May called her surprise ‘snap’ general election — and with just a week to go until the vote on June 8, the Times is giving our area’s candidates a chance to speak.

Mrs May said that division in Westminster ahead of Brexit negotiations was the reason the Government was calling the election at ‘this moment of enormous national significance’.

Brexit has been the main issue grabbing most of the national headlines during the campaign, though the state of the NHS, funding for schools and controversial plans for social care, dubbed the ‘dementia tax’, have also grabbed attention.

With a week to go, the Times has given all candidates from the South East Cornwall constituency a platform to talk about themselves and speak out on the issues they feel most strongly about ahead of the vote.

Here are the comments from the South East Cornwall parliamentary candidates:

Sheryll Murray, Conservatives: ‘I am very saddened by the terrible events in Manchester. My thoughts are with those families who have suffered loss and those who have been affected by this cowardly attack.

‘It is clear that we need strong government as we deal with the dangers of terrorism and as we negotiate us leaving the European Union. I believe that Theresa May will provide that strength and I am grateful she has given me her backing in South East Cornwall.

‘I was born in the constituency and live here. My children went to local schools and I worked as a local doctors’ receptionist in the NHS for over 20 years.

‘I have done my best for this area helping many local people through my Liskeard office. I have also brought in new legislation and secured government funding to improve our area. I pledge to continue to work my very hardest for the area.’

Gareth Derrick, Labour: ‘THIS election is about the kind of society we want in Cornwall.

‘Let’s stop the damage being done to our NHS, to schools and to the job and home ownership prospects of young families. Let’s build a prosperous future outside the EU, taking back control of our fisheries, supporting farmers and investing much more in the local economy.’

Mr Derrick, from Ivybridge, completed his career in the Royal Navy in 2013, serving in submarines and in the 2003 Iraq war. Later, as a diplomat in Tokyo he led security co-operation with Japan. He is married with three children.

He said he was delighted to represent Labour again in Cornwall; he stood for the position of Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner in 2016, falling just 1% short of victory for Labour. He has also sparred on Sunday Politics with Sheryll Murray over education funding.

Phil Hutty, Liberal Democrats: THIS will be the second time Phil Hutty has fought for the seat of South East Cornwall, the first being in 2015. He has been a campaigner for the Liberal Democrats for over 25 years.

An experienced social worker, Mr Hutty specialises in managing teams who work in child protection. He said he was drawn into politics by issues affecting the vulnerable, young people and people with disabilities.

He is particularly concerned about the years of lack of investment in this region and wants to see a better infrastructure for rail, road and improved mobile telecommunications to improve job opportunities.

Mr Hutty has committed himself to fighting health service cuts and wants to see more rented housing so that local people can remain in their communities. If elected, he would fight for fair funding for local schools and better support for young people who want to stay on in education or training.

Martin Corney, Green Party: ‘HAVING volunteered a lot in many local community organisations, I know that I’m not doing enough.

‘Time and again the good work we do locally is undone by central government. The systems and rules from the top need changing and the only way to do that is to get elected as MP, with lots of other Green Party MPs.

‘After 22 years working on Devonport Royal Dockyard’s computers I retired as principal system engineer in 2010. After a couple of years gardening and helping neighbours out, I decided to stretch myself. I’d crunched the numbers on climate change – which frightened me. The only political party that took global warming seriously was the Green Party, so I joined and got busy.

‘As your Green Party representative I am proud to offer you a new type of politics, with policies designed to build a sustainable and fair future for us all.’

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on June 8, make sure to exercise your democratic right and vote!