Politicians are gearing up for a general election after MPs voted in favour of one last night.

The legislation, which was only opposed by 20 MPs, will see an election held on December 12 if it is passed through the House of Lords and given Royal Assent.

Watford hopefuls have welcomed the election, saying they are ready to campaign to be the next MP in the area.

Dean Russell, who has just been selected as the new Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Watford, said he was “very confident” of winning and would fight “tooth and nail” to do so.

He said: “We have an ambitious campaign that is both policy and people focussed and we have a great legacy to build on in Watford.

“I am ready for this election and we are going to fight every step of the way to make sure we win.”

Councillor Ian Stotesbury, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Watford, felt his party were also ready for a general election, saying it would be an “honour” to be the MP for the area.

He said: “We have topped the poll at this year’s European elections, got record breaking local election results and just the other week won the Tudor by-election, with Labour slumping into third place.

“With Labour sitting on the fence on Brexit and Richard Harrington standing down, more and more people in Watford are telling me they’ll be voting for me to stop Brexit and stand up for them in Parliament.”

But Chris Ostrowski, Labour Parliamentary candidate for Watford, urged people to vote for Labour, claiming the election would see “the biggest Labour campaign in Watford’s history”.

Mr Ostrowski, who finished 2000 votes behind the Conservatives at the last election, felt it was vital that Boris Johnson “does not win”.

“The only way we can do that is by voting Labour in Watford,” he said.

“I can’t wait for it and I will fight for a public vote on Brexit, funding for our hospital and schools and championing Labour’s Green New Deal to tackle climate change.”

Brexit Party parliamentary candidate for Watford William Berry said the party are looking forward to the election but stressed the party’s position over the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

He said: “I want to make it clear that the Boris withdrawal agreement is a treaty and it has major issues including locking us in the EU and minimising our future opportunities. It needs to be renegotiated with a realistic threat of a no deal Brexit.

“We continue to offer a pact to Boris on this basis."

Meanwhile Tom Pashby, Green Party parliamentary candidate in south west Hertfordshire, asked voters to put “their faith in them” ahead of the election.

The candidate claimed the party were the only ones who could take appropriate action over the climate emergency by implementing an “ambitious” Green New Deal.

Mx Pashby said: “Time is running out to act on the climate and ecological emergency.

“A vote for the Greens is a vote for a prosperous future which isn’t devastated by reckless politicians pursuing fossil fuelled growth.”