While campaigning in Chiddingfold, part of the newly formed Godalming & Ash constituency, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has acknowledged the fiercely competitive nature of the upcoming election.
Hunt highlighted the narrow margin by which the seat could be won or lost, stating, “This seat is probably going to be won or lost by the Conservatives by 1,500 votes or fewer,” during an interview with Bloomberg. This new constituency includes parts of the South West Surrey seat, an area Hunt has represented since 2005. Traditionally a Conservative stronghold, this region has now become a key target for the Liberal Democrats.
In the 2015 elections, Hunt secured a comfortable majority of 30,000 votes, making the current electoral climate a significant shift. A victory for the Liberal Democrats in this constituency would mark a historic event, potentially making Hunt the first sitting chancellor to be defeated in an election. Additionally, other notable Conservative politicians such as Penny Mordaunt and Johnny Mercer are also facing challenging races in their respective constituencies.
Hunt, while pictured with supporters, downplayed the possibility of losing, attributing such thoughts to bad “feng shui.” However, the competitive nature of the race for the Godalming & Ash seat remains a focal point as election night draws nearer.
The forthcoming election in the Godalming & Ash constituency stands as a critical juncture for Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and the Conservative Party, as they face one of their most challenging battles to date.
