Northern Ireland secretary joins election campaign in Walton

Mr Brokenshire, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, visited Walton alongside Mr Watling, who is standing for the Clacton seat in the General Election on June 8.

The pair spoke to voters in Walton High Street before visiting the statue of Walton war hero Private Herbert Columbine.

Mr Brokenshire reiterated the Conservative message that the party would provide a “strong and stable” Government to fight for the best possible deal for people across the UK during Brexit negotiations.

He said: “The decision has been taken and people want the Government to get on with delivering Brexit for all parts of the UK.

“As a party, we believe very strongly in the union of the United Kingdom and the sense of sovereignty that we would have from departure from the EU.

“We want to see powers coming back from Brussels and want to chart a positive new future for our country.”

He added: “I’m here to campaign for Giles to help him win this seat and to strengthen the Prime Minister’s hand when she goes into negotiations with Brussels to get the best deal for our country.”

Formal talks to restore the powersharing institutions in Northern Ireland have been put on hold until after the General Election.

The Gazette asked the minister whether the snap election has been a hindrance to the process.

He said: “We have had a pause in the negotiations in Northern Ireland, but we have also given it space for the deal to come to fruition.

“There is time to get devolution back on its feet in Northern Ireland.”

Confirmed candidates for the Clacton seat include the Liberal Democrats’ David Grace, Labour’s Natasha Osben, the Green Party’s Chris Southall and independent Caroline Shearer.

Ukip councillor Jeff Bray was selected by local party members to be the party’s candidate for the election, but Mr Bray has yet to hear whether the decision has been ratified by the party’s National Executive Committee.

The closing date for nominations is Thursday at 4pm.