Prime Minister Gordon Brown's announcement that he is calling an election for May 6th sparked a surge in political activity in Ross. Candidates Sarah Carr and Jesse Norman have both formally declared their intention to stand.

The BBC claims that this constituency, Hereford and South Hereford, is the main 'target' for the Conservative party, and as a marginal seat is sure to attract many high profile politicians in the coming weeks. Outgoing MP is Hereford MP Paul Keetch, elected in 1997 but who has decided not to stand again. His successor is Sarah Carr but she is facing fierce competition from Conservative Jesse Norman. The third candidate, so far declared, wishing to take the seat is Labour candidate Philippa Roberts.

Labour finished third in the 2005 General Election in Hereford. Tom Calver received just 4,800 votes to finish behind the Conservative's Virginia Taylor (19,323) and the Liberal Democrat winner, Paul Keetch, (20,285).

This time around the Conservatives would need to gain an extra 1,297 votes to take the seat, based on 2005 results, and Labour would need a massive swing of over 15,000 votes.

Churches Together in Ross have arranged a Hustings event in the run up to the election, on April 23rd at the John Kyrle High School. They will be hosting the event and full details for those wishing to ask questions of our local candidates will be available next week.

The General Election, which should decide on the form the government of this country will take for the next four years, is not the only election to grip the minds of the politically active in Ross.

The Town Council is also gearing up for an election following the decision by John Davies to stand down. Margaret Lucas has already announced her intention to stand as a Conservative candidate and now Caroline Utting has said that she will also stand for the Liberal Democrats.