MEMBERS of Parliament from across Hampshire have thrown their backing behind a request from Prime Minister Theresa May to hold a general election in June.

The call from the Conservative prime minister comes amid the background of the UK leaving the European Union.

The county’s MPs have largely praised the decision, which will be voted on in Parliament today before it goes ahead on June 8.

Mims Davies, MP for Eastleigh, and Caroline Dinenage, MP for Gosport, were just two of the community leaders to throw their weight behind the decision.

Southampton and Itchen MP Royston Smith said he had mixed feelings about the snap election, but understood the decision in a bid to move the country forward.

He said: “I’m not certain about it as we said that we wouldn’t hold a general election until 2020 and I don’t feel as if anything has fundamentally changed, but of course I do understand the Prime Minister’s desire to hold one as it will give her a stronger hand in Brexit negotiations.

“I understand why it has been called and we can secure a strong majority. My concern is if this is a general election about the terms of Brexit and we don’t know what these terms are going to be yet.”

The potential election will be voted on by members of parliament today, with two-thirds of MPs needing to support the request for it to go ahead.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has already said he backs the call.

Eastleigh MP Mims Davies said that she felt confident that residents would feel the Conservative Party would be the right option.

She said: “People need to look very hard at what is needed for them and see which party can help them. We need to show that for the people of Eastleigh, that is the Conservatives.

“I didn’t anticipate the announcement coming, but I am confident that we need to go into these negotiations with the strongest possible hand we can and the Prime Minister can lead us to a majority for this country again.”

Winchester MP Steve Brine said: "We need this now to secure the strong and stable leadership our country requires at this pivotal moment."

Fareham MP Suella Fernandes said: “The government has a clear mandate from the British people to leave the EU, an election will further strengthen the Prime Minister’s negotiating hand in Europe.”

The Prime Minister has said repeatedly that she would not hold a general election until 2020, but had reluctantly changed her mind.

Caroline Dinenage, MP for Gosport defended what she called a change of heart.

She said: “It’s not a u-turn as such, more of a change of heart. I hope I can secure a majority, I have worked very hard for the people of Gosport over the last seven years.”

Romsey MP Caroline Nokes said: "Theresa May is once again demonstrating her strong leadership and I look forward to discussing this with constituents in the coming weeks."

The decision has prompted one city councillor to announce his intention to stand for the Southampton Test constituency, with Redbridge councillor for Southampton City Council Andrew Pope saying residents deserved better than current Labour MP Alan Whitehead.

Mr Whitehead could not be reached for a comment.