General election We've heard a lot from the politicians during their campaigns to win the ultra-marginal seat of Southampton Itchen, which includes Bitterne Park. But what about residents? Rebecca Welton caught up with a random selection of people locally to hear which issues concern them as the May 7 general election gets closer.

 

Name: Chloe Hearn

Age: 18

Occupation: Kitchen associate

What are the main issues that concern you?
Affordable childcare.

If you were Prime Minister, what is the first thing you would do?
The only thing really, would be the free childcare for younger children. I did childcare for two years and I know a lot of parents who couldn't afford to put their children into nursery and I feel children are missing out.

How do you intend to vote?
I'm not sure yet.

 

Name: Ellis Rothenberg

Age: 77

Occupation: Retired

What are the main issues that concern you?
The debt and the deficit is a big worry, and how long they take to get rid if that - whoever it is.

If you were Prime Minister, what is the first thing you would do?
No idea.

How do you intend to vote?
Probably Green, or otherwise Labour

Name: Ruth Gheisari

Age: 29

Occupation: Teaching assistant

What are the main issues that concern you?
Things to do with tax. I'm quite a low earner so looking at which parties have higher tax allowances are important to me.

If you were Prime Minister, what is the first thing you would do?
Make more bank holidays.

How do you intend to vote?
Conservative.

 

Name: Matthew Pryer

Age: 41

Occupation: Retail

What are the main issues that concern you?
The rise of current right-wing racism and bigotry.

If you were Prime Minister, what is the first thing you would do?
Get the banks in line. Make society a bit more equal. And I would properly investigate the child sex allegations in Westminster.

How do you intend to vote?
Probably Labour.

 

Name: Anne Paton

Age: 70

Occupation: Retired

What are the main issues that concern you?
In this area, I think a lot of people feel that we could do with more crossings and speed cameras.
Immigration also worries me. Enoch Powell, many years ago, said that this was what could happen and now the chickens have come home to roost.
Plus the EU, I don't like the EU whatsoever. We should never, ever have gone into it.  If anything goes pear-shaped it's down to the EU.

If you were Prime Minister, what is the first thing you would do?
Bring back hanging, for starters. There's no deterrent.

How do you intend to vote?
I'll probably vote Conservative, as I've voted for them all my life and my parents did before me.

 

Name: Mel Pryer

Age: 34

Occupation: Personal trainer

What are the main issues that concern you?
Austerity measures and where they will cut back next. How to stop the rich getting richer and poor getting poorer.

If you were Prime Minister, what is the first thing you would do?
Go after all the tax evaders, with a vengeance.

How do you intend to vote?
I feel any vote is wasted, but probably Labour.

 

 

Name: Peter Briggs

Age: 65

Occupation: Retired

What are the main issues that concern you?
The UKIP side of it is worrying. Some of Farage's policies are okay, but this thing on race has caused a lot of problems. Pensions are also an issue for me, as each year you are getting virtually nothing back.

If you were Prime Minister, what is the first thing you would do?
I would definitely curb immigration, and tackle people coming into the country and getting the NHS free of charge.

How do you intend to vote?
I think I'll vote Conservative.

 

Name: Vikram Amin

Age: 40

Occupation: Shop owner

What are the main issues that concern you?
The economy. If you increase the minimum wage, as Labour are proposing, that takes money from small business owners. Instead there should be more support for local businesses, the government should be making new jobs.

If you were Prime Minister, what is the first thing you would do?
Reform the benefits system so people don’t abuse it.

How do you intend to vote?
Conservative.

 

Name: Robert Busby

Age: 18

Occupation: Unemployed

What are the main issues that concern you?
School nutrition.

If you were Prime Minister, what is the first thing you would do?
I would focus on the environment. Not just clean up the streets but I would make make it a healthier, safer and cleaner environment for people.

How do you intend to vote?
I'm not too sure yet. I will vote but I want to see, first, what the local candidates are offering.

Interviews & photographs: Rebecca Welton

 

Southampton Itchen: What did the general election candidates say