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 Torridge and West Devon constituency a platform to talk about themselves and speak out on the issues they feel most strongly about ahead of the vote.

Tavistock is also to have its own hustings event tomorrow night (Friday, June 2) — organised by the Tavistock Times, kindly supported by Tavistock Town Council.

A hustings is an open meeting where election candidates or parties debate policies and answer questions from the audience.

Hustings aim to provide voters with an opportunity to hear the views of candidates or parties, usually in the run up to an election.

All five candidates for Torridge and West Devon — current Conservative MP Geoffrey Cox, Labour candidate Vince Barry, Liberal Democrats candidate David Chalmers, The Green Party’s Chris Jordan and independent Robin Julian — will be taking part in the event at Tavistock Town Hall from 7pm to 9pm.

All members of the community — from both Tavistock and further afield across the Torridge and West Devon constituency — are welcome to attend.

Here are the comments from the Torridge and West Devon parliamentary candidates:

Geoffrey Cox, Conservatives: ‘It has been a privilege to serve as your MP for the past 12 years. In 2015, no-one expected that there would be another general election quite so soon.

‘But just seven days after the poll on June 8, Britain must commence negotiations with the EU, the greatest peacetime challenge our country has faced in the modern era.

‘The Prime Minister has called this election to ask your backing to negotiate for Britain and to enable her to provide strong and stable leadership and to maintain a sound economy both during and after those negotiations.

‘On the success of the Government’s policy in the next few years all our prosperity, including our ability to afford decent pensions and public services, depends.

‘Every vote for the Conservatives will count to show that our country is united behind the PM in getting the best deal for Britain and keeping us economically secure.’

Vince Barry, Labour: ‘It is an honour and a privilege to have been selected to stand in this beautiful constituency. My family work in education and the NHS, so I know personally just how valuable our public services are and the stresses they are under in the face of an onslaught from a government that just doesn’t care.

‘With Brexit underway, you deserve an MP who will fight to get the best deal for our region.

‘A trade deal that safeguards our agricultural industry and protects our environment. That means an MP who can be 100 per cent committed to fight on your behalf, without the distraction of other jobs.

‘With weeks to go until the general election, I will be working hard to hold Mr Cox and the Conservative Government to account. My vision for Torridge and West Devon is one in which you have a full time, hard-working MP who will put your needs first.’

David Chalmers, Liberal Democrats: ‘Like many people who call rural Devon home, I am passionate about where I live. We are facing challenging times — the Liberal Democrats are the only party with a clear policy on opposing the Conservative Party’s policy of pursuing a hard Brexit that will have disastrous consequences for local famers and local jobs.

‘The people of this country deserve to have a say on whatever final deal comes out of the Brexit negotiations.

‘What really worries me is that for the next two years at least, all other policies, like education and health – especially mental health – will be put to one side as Brexit negotiations are at the heart of the Government’s policies.

‘Our health services and education in Devon are already unfairly underfunded – this Brexit process will only make things worse.’

Chris Jordan, Green Party: Chris Jordan is married and lives in Westward Ho!

A long-time campaigner on conservation, social and environmental issues, he is a registered nurse working in North Devon so said he ‘understands the issues surrounding the NHS better than any other candidate’.

He has expressed his alarm at the cuts to health services at North Devon District Hospital, the closure of community hospitals and was concerned by the local shortage of nurses and GPS, along with the fact that waiting times were growing and mental health services were severely stretched.

Mr Jordan said: ‘I will fight against intrusive developments, environmental degradation and especially the huge reductions to public service funding affecting youth services, libraries, funding for schools and social care.’

Mr Jordan would like to see free, good quality education with no tuition fees, local food production to retain money in the local area, more social housing that is as energy efficient as possible and good animal welfare to avoid inhumane conditions and treatment.

Robin Julian, independent: ‘The important issues for Torridge and West Devon: Billions of pounds are being poured into hospitals and government are reclaiming funding by taxing the elderly on their savings and property to pay for care. Community hospitals are closing due to severe cuts.

‘Government are spending billions on education by pouring it into academies. State schools that are not funded will close, ripping the heart out of our communities.

‘Council house stock should be replaced and the ‘Right to Buy’ should be scrapped. Road repairs should be classed as a long-term investment. Funding is insufficient and £300-million has already been cut from Devon County Council’s budget. Local transport in rural areas should be subsidised to allow for basic needs i.e hospital visits. We should decrease the carbon footprint by encouraging our farmers to produce for their local shops.

‘Devon has lacked investment for years. Investing in roads, rail and ports will bring infrastructure and employment.’Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on June 8, make sure to exercise your democratic right and vote!