By Maria Zaccaro, Local Democracy Reporter
Thousands of people will be heading to the polls today in what is the first December election since 1923, to deliver their verdict on the last government and make their choice for the future.

 

After six weeks of campaigning and hundreds of leaflets delivered, parliamentary candidates have now less than 24 hours before finding out who will represent residents in Westminster.

This year’s general election is the third national vote in five years and for many it will be a Brexit election.

But in Southampton there also seem to be other issues that could determine how people will vote today.

Police, the NHS, adult social care, climate emergency and housing also seemed to be at the forefront of voters’ mind.

Over the past weeks the city has seen the visit of senior politicians including Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Southampton Itchen seat is one of the most marginal across the country and the constituency is seen as one of the places where the election could be won or lost.

As previously reported, in 2017 Conservative Royston Smith beat Labour Simon Letts by 31 votes.

This year the two are ready for a re-match as they are standing again.

Also standing as candidates for Southampton Itchen are Liberal Democrat Liz Jarvis, Green Party candidate Osman Sen-Chadun and UKIP candidate Kim Rose.

Meanwhile, Labour Alan Whitehead will try to retain the Southampton Test seat, one he first won in 1997. This year he is standing against Conservative city councillor Steven Galton, Liberal Democrat Joe Richards, Green Party candidate Katherine Barbour, Independent Kev Barry and Brexit Party candidate Philip Crook.

The final election poll suggested that across the country the Conservatives are still heading for a majority, but the race has tightened.

Polling stations will close at 10pm and the results are expected to be announced in the early hours of Friday.

What happened last time?

The results in the Itchen constituency, which includes Bitterne Park, at the 2017 general election were:

Conservative 21,773 - Elected
Labour 21,742
Liberal Democrats 1,421
UK Indepedence Party 1,122
Green 725

In Southampton Test, which includes St Denys, Portswood and Highfield, the results were:

Labour 27,509 - Elected
Conservatives 16,006
 Liberal Democrats 1,892
 Independent 680
Southampton Independents 816

Where to vote

Check information on polling stations on this council pdf.