MPs across west London have reacted to Theresa May’s shock general election announcement .

Labour members have accused the Prime Minister of putting the Conservative Party’s interests ahead of the nation’s, but one Tory defended the move, saying it was a “sensible decision”.

It comes as Mrs May announced she was seeking to call the election on June 8, subject to MPs voting on the matter on Wednesday (April 19).

Seema Malhotra, the Labour MP for Feltham and Heston, said: “This is a Prime Minister once again focused on her own interests not on the interests of the country.

"At a time when we have growing inequality in education, a budget that gives to the most wealthy, an NHS in need desperate need of funding and youth services being cut, the Prime Minister should be focused on healing divisions not widening them.”

Seema Malhotra: 'PM focussed on her own interest'

Her Labour colleague Andy Slaughter , who represents Hammersmith, agreed.

He said Mrs May’s Brexit reasons for calling the election were “transparent and phoney”.

“She got a massive majority for triggering Brexit, and that’s what she seems to be hanging this on,” he said. “She is putting her party ahead of the country in this opportunistic way.”

Lady Victoria Borwick, who succeeded Sir Malcolm Rifkind as the Conservative MP for Kensington in 2015, backed Mrs May’s move, saying: “The Prime Minister has made the sensible decision by announcing a general election.

Andy Slaughter: 'She's putting her party ahead of the country'

“Both the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats have been doing everything they can to obstruct parliamentary business.

“I urge voters to get behind the Conservative Party so that we can get on with the job of doing what is in the best interests of Britain.”

Victoria Borwick outside Kensington Tube Station
Lady Victoria Borwick: 'A smart decision'

Looking ahead at the election, Mr Slaughter, who holds a majority of 6,518, said he would work hard to be re-elected: “I never take a single vote for granted.

“I hope that people will look at my record over 30 years of representing people in the borough, and that’s all that I would ask.

“I’d like a fair hearing and to be judged on my record.”

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