'So many locals voted for Boris Johnson in 2019'

Dr Gemma Loomes believes Stoke-on-Trent will be watched closely during the general election campaign

Stoke-on-Trent is going to be under the spotlight during the general election campaign, according to a politics lecturer at Keele University.

At the last election, for the first time, the Conservatives secured all three parliamentary seats in the city.

"So many voters in the local area lent Boris Johnson their vote in 2019," said Dr Gemma Loomes, who said it was now time for people to deliver their verdict on whether the Conservatives were "trusted" with it.

The Prime Minister announced on Wednesday that a general election will be held on 4 July.

Market trader Karen Barnett wants to see a candidate representing working class people

Some traders in Longton Market said they would not be voting in the election.

John Ward, who runs a jewellery business said: “I won’t vote for any of them, they’re all as bad as each other."

“Margaret Thatcher was probably the last time I voted, since then it’s been a circus,” he added.

James McGrath, a lifelong Conservative voter and trader in the market said he would vote for Labour this time around.

"For me there has been too much treachery in the Conservative party. It has been shambolic.

"Boris Johnson was turned on by his own party after a landslide victory. For the first time ever I’ll vote Labour, there is no other option."

Trader Karen Barnett said she wanted to see a candidate representing the working class.

"None of them are worthy of my vote," she said.

"I’ve always voted because of the suffragettes but I can’t justify it this time."

Lifelong Conservative voter James McGrath said he would vote Labour this time around