This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/13/tell-us-what-issues-will-decide-the-election-where-you-live
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Tell us what issues will decide the election where you live | Tell us what issues will decide the election where you live |
| (7 days later) | |
| From the chaos of Brexit to the crisis in local services, we want to understand the issues that matter on the ground - and we’d like your help | From the chaos of Brexit to the crisis in local services, we want to understand the issues that matter on the ground - and we’d like your help |
| Over the course of the general election campaign, Guardian reporters will be spending significant amounts of time in constituencies across the country to report on the local currents that will shape the national future. | Over the course of the general election campaign, Guardian reporters will be spending significant amounts of time in constituencies across the country to report on the local currents that will shape the national future. |
| We would like to find out what issues matter to voters on the ground, so if you live in any of the constituencies we’re reporting from, tell us what you think. | We would like to find out what issues matter to voters on the ground, so if you live in any of the constituencies we’re reporting from, tell us what you think. |
| We will be updating the following list of places we are visiting during the election campaign. | We will be updating the following list of places we are visiting during the election campaign. |
| Belfast East | Belfast East |
| Traditionally a unionist seat, Belfast East is facing deep political uncertainty. It’s held by the DUP which supports Brexit but is not happy with Boris Johnson’s deal in case it weakens Northern Ireland’s position in the UK. | Traditionally a unionist seat, Belfast East is facing deep political uncertainty. It’s held by the DUP which supports Brexit but is not happy with Boris Johnson’s deal in case it weakens Northern Ireland’s position in the UK. |
| Several pro-remain parties such as Sinn Féin, the SDLP and the Greens have stepped aside in the constituency to give Naomi Long, leader of the centrist Alliance party, a chance at winning the seat. So this election will also be a test of whether the Alliance can rally enough voters who have previously voted along unionist or nationalist lines. Let us know what issues will decide your vote here. | Several pro-remain parties such as Sinn Féin, the SDLP and the Greens have stepped aside in the constituency to give Naomi Long, leader of the centrist Alliance party, a chance at winning the seat. So this election will also be a test of whether the Alliance can rally enough voters who have previously voted along unionist or nationalist lines. Let us know what issues will decide your vote here. |
| Bishop Auckland | Bishop Auckland |
| Bishop Auckland, apart from a brief hiatus in the 1930s, has voted Labour for over a century. But it also voted by a big margin for Brexit. Will lifelong Labour voters who voted leave turn to the Conservative Party to “get Brexit done”, as Boris Johnson hopes? Or will the Brexit Party split the leave vote? | Bishop Auckland, apart from a brief hiatus in the 1930s, has voted Labour for over a century. But it also voted by a big margin for Brexit. Will lifelong Labour voters who voted leave turn to the Conservative Party to “get Brexit done”, as Boris Johnson hopes? Or will the Brexit Party split the leave vote? |
| If the Tories are to win a majority they must win northern towns like this, where Labour’s Helen Goodman has a majority of just 502. If you live in Bishop Auckland, you can share your views with us here. | If the Tories are to win a majority they must win northern towns like this, where Labour’s Helen Goodman has a majority of just 502. If you live in Bishop Auckland, you can share your views with us here. |
| Camborne and Redruth | Camborne and Redruth |
| amborne, Redruth and Hayle make up an urban area, pockets of which are ranked among the most deprived in the country. The constituency also has a rural spread. It voted Leave in the EU referendum. Employment, affordable housing and social isolation are among concerns highlighted in the area. | amborne, Redruth and Hayle make up an urban area, pockets of which are ranked among the most deprived in the country. The constituency also has a rural spread. It voted Leave in the EU referendum. Employment, affordable housing and social isolation are among concerns highlighted in the area. |
| Conservative George Eustice has held the seat since it was created in 2010. In 2017 he saw his majority reduced from 7,004 to 1,577. Labour now sees it within grasp, and will be hoping it provides a breakthrough in Cornwall where all six constituencies are currently Conservative. We would like to know what factors are key to determining your vote. | Conservative George Eustice has held the seat since it was created in 2010. In 2017 he saw his majority reduced from 7,004 to 1,577. Labour now sees it within grasp, and will be hoping it provides a breakthrough in Cornwall where all six constituencies are currently Conservative. We would like to know what factors are key to determining your vote. |
| What are the local issues? And will they trump Brexit and national politics at the ballot box? Tell us what you think by here. | What are the local issues? And will they trump Brexit and national politics at the ballot box? Tell us what you think by here. |
| Canterbury | Canterbury |
| Are you a young voter in Canterbury? The Guardian is reporting on the battle in one of the most interesting constituencies in the country, which showed the unexpected strength of Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party in the 2017 election. | Are you a young voter in Canterbury? The Guardian is reporting on the battle in one of the most interesting constituencies in the country, which showed the unexpected strength of Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party in the 2017 election. |
| Two years later, we’re keen to hear from voters in the Kent city about their views on the election. We’re particularly interested in hearing from young people and students who were crucial in helping Labour win the historically Tory seat in 2017. Are the young people in Canterbury who swung the election last time still motivated or are they split? With the decline of Facebook, how are volunteers and organisers from the main parties getting their message across online? Let us know what you think here. | Two years later, we’re keen to hear from voters in the Kent city about their views on the election. We’re particularly interested in hearing from young people and students who were crucial in helping Labour win the historically Tory seat in 2017. Are the young people in Canterbury who swung the election last time still motivated or are they split? With the decline of Facebook, how are volunteers and organisers from the main parties getting their message across online? Let us know what you think here. |
| Chingford and Woodford Green | Chingford and Woodford Green |
| The constituency has been represented by Iain Duncan Smith for 27 years, but his majority has fallen sharply and the Labour candidate Faiza Shaheen hopes to oust him by focusing on the cuts he helped implement as a Tory minister. Will the contest be driven by the legacy of austerity? Or will Brexit, which divided this area almost 50:50, dominate this election too? | The constituency has been represented by Iain Duncan Smith for 27 years, but his majority has fallen sharply and the Labour candidate Faiza Shaheen hopes to oust him by focusing on the cuts he helped implement as a Tory minister. Will the contest be driven by the legacy of austerity? Or will Brexit, which divided this area almost 50:50, dominate this election too? |
| We’d like to understand the big issues facing you and your family and which policies matter to you. If you live in the constituency tell us about your views here. | We’d like to understand the big issues facing you and your family and which policies matter to you. If you live in the constituency tell us about your views here. |
| Cities of London and Westminster | Cities of London and Westminster |
| In the constituency of Cities of London and Westminster, which ranges from wealthy neighbourhoods such as Mayfair and Belgravia to more socially mixed areas such as Soho, Paddington and Pimlico, issues range from homelessness, air quality and local development to the role of the Square Mile. If you live in the area, share your thoughts with us here. | In the constituency of Cities of London and Westminster, which ranges from wealthy neighbourhoods such as Mayfair and Belgravia to more socially mixed areas such as Soho, Paddington and Pimlico, issues range from homelessness, air quality and local development to the role of the Square Mile. If you live in the area, share your thoughts with us here. |
| Darlington | Darlington |
| If you live in Darlington, how happy are you with the state of housing, work, community relations, policing and health services? Who has an impact on your community that we should meet? | If you live in Darlington, how happy are you with the state of housing, work, community relations, policing and health services? Who has an impact on your community that we should meet? |
| Are there issues in your family that create division? Are you thinking of switching your vote? Or perhaps you feel disengaged from national politics altogether. Get in touch with us here. | Are there issues in your family that create division? Are you thinking of switching your vote? Or perhaps you feel disengaged from national politics altogether. Get in touch with us here. |
| Glasgow North East | |
| Glasgow North East is a key Labour-SNP marginal, which has twice changed hands in the last two general elections. It has some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the UK, with amongst the lowest life expectancy rates. Given how popular the SNP is in Scotland overall, this seat is a key test of whether Jeremy Corbyn’s anti-austerity platform can cut through. | |
| If you live in Glasgow North East, can you tell us what will decide your vote? We’d like to understand the big issues facing you and your family and which policies matter to you. How happy are you with the state of housing, work, community relations, policing and health services? Share your views here. | |
| Morecombe and Lunesdale | Morecombe and Lunesdale |
| The seat is considered a bellwether and has been Conservative throughout its history, except for during the Tony Blair years, with the Tories winning by a 1,399 majority in 2017. There is great wealth but also significant poverty. There is a higher proportion of young people not in education, employment or training than local averages. | The seat is considered a bellwether and has been Conservative throughout its history, except for during the Tony Blair years, with the Tories winning by a 1,399 majority in 2017. There is great wealth but also significant poverty. There is a higher proportion of young people not in education, employment or training than local averages. |
| We’re particularly interested in hearing from people who live or work in Heysham, a large coastal village that has huge strategic importance for the north-west. It is home to two nuclear power stations and a port, a major distribution hub between the UK and Ireland, which will be affected significantly by Brexit. Share your views with us here. | We’re particularly interested in hearing from people who live or work in Heysham, a large coastal village that has huge strategic importance for the north-west. It is home to two nuclear power stations and a port, a major distribution hub between the UK and Ireland, which will be affected significantly by Brexit. Share your views with us here. |
| Norwich North | Norwich North |
| In Norwich North, Conservative MP Chloe Smith’s majority was trimmed to just 507 over Labour in 2017. Smith, who won the seat from Labour during a byelection in 2009, would have lost had every Green party voter (or Lib Dem) backed Labour. | In Norwich North, Conservative MP Chloe Smith’s majority was trimmed to just 507 over Labour in 2017. Smith, who won the seat from Labour during a byelection in 2009, would have lost had every Green party voter (or Lib Dem) backed Labour. |
| Norwich has a reputation for being one of the country’s most environmentally-minded cities. The Green party’s nine city councillors make it the second-largest party after Labour on the council. The Norwich South MP, Labour’s Clive Lewis, was the co-author with the Greens’ Caroline Lucas of the Green New Deal bill. | Norwich has a reputation for being one of the country’s most environmentally-minded cities. The Green party’s nine city councillors make it the second-largest party after Labour on the council. The Norwich South MP, Labour’s Clive Lewis, was the co-author with the Greens’ Caroline Lucas of the Green New Deal bill. |
| The city has lost hundreds of manufacturing jobs this year, with factories closing including local icon Colman’s (the mustard-makers), a print works and, in Norwich North, an electric heater manufacturer. Patrick is particularly interested in hearing from Norwich North residents who have lost their jobs, and finding out how their experiences are shaping their political views and voting intentions. Does Labour’s version of a Green New Deal offer them any hope? You can get in touch with us here. | The city has lost hundreds of manufacturing jobs this year, with factories closing including local icon Colman’s (the mustard-makers), a print works and, in Norwich North, an electric heater manufacturer. Patrick is particularly interested in hearing from Norwich North residents who have lost their jobs, and finding out how their experiences are shaping their political views and voting intentions. Does Labour’s version of a Green New Deal offer them any hope? You can get in touch with us here. |
| Peterborough | Peterborough |
| The Guardian will be reporting from Peterborough, where people have seen public spending fall by £262 a year per person since the start of austerity in 2010 – typical of the UK as a whole. | The Guardian will be reporting from Peterborough, where people have seen public spending fall by £262 a year per person since the start of austerity in 2010 – typical of the UK as a whole. |
| We’d also like to know how you following this election whether traditional media such as TV and newspapers or online news sites or social media. Do you belong to local Facebook or WhatsApp groups? If you live in Peterborough, let us know about the issues affecting you here. | We’d also like to know how you following this election whether traditional media such as TV and newspapers or online news sites or social media. Do you belong to local Facebook or WhatsApp groups? If you live in Peterborough, let us know about the issues affecting you here. |
| Southampton Itchen | Southampton Itchen |
| In Southampton Itchen, the Conservative Royston Smith is defending one of the smallest majorities in the UK, just 31 votes ahead of Labour. Will the contest be dominated by Brexit or more local issues? We are keen to hear from you about what your concerns and priorities are. | In Southampton Itchen, the Conservative Royston Smith is defending one of the smallest majorities in the UK, just 31 votes ahead of Labour. Will the contest be dominated by Brexit or more local issues? We are keen to hear from you about what your concerns and priorities are. |
| Southampton Itchen is one of the constituencies where the student vote could make a big difference. If you are a student in Southampton, we’d like to understand the big issues which concern you and which policies matter to you. How do you feel about tuition fees, student debt and the high cost of living in student accommodation? | Southampton Itchen is one of the constituencies where the student vote could make a big difference. If you are a student in Southampton, we’d like to understand the big issues which concern you and which policies matter to you. How do you feel about tuition fees, student debt and the high cost of living in student accommodation? |
| We’d also like to hear from voters in the constituency who’re not students, what are the important national and local issues that will decide your vote? Share your views here. | We’d also like to hear from voters in the constituency who’re not students, what are the important national and local issues that will decide your vote? Share your views here. |
| Stevenage | Stevenage |
| The Guardian’s Gary Younge will be covering the election from Stevenage for two main reasons. First, he grew up there and second, it is a classical bellwether constituency. For almost half a century Stevenage has always voted for whichever party became the government. | The Guardian’s Gary Younge will be covering the election from Stevenage for two main reasons. First, he grew up there and second, it is a classical bellwether constituency. For almost half a century Stevenage has always voted for whichever party became the government. |
| If you live in Stevenage, can you tell us what will decide your vote? We’d like to understand the big issues facing you and your family and which policies matter to you. How happy are you with the state of housing, work, community relations, policing and health services? Tell us what you think here. | If you live in Stevenage, can you tell us what will decide your vote? We’d like to understand the big issues facing you and your family and which policies matter to you. How happy are you with the state of housing, work, community relations, policing and health services? Tell us what you think here. |
| Stirling | Stirling |
| The Scottish Tory Stephen Kerr is defending one of the smallest majorities in the UK, of only 148 votes, against the high-profile SNP candidate Alyn Smith. Will the contest be dominated by Brexit and independence or more local issues? Share your thoughts with us here. | The Scottish Tory Stephen Kerr is defending one of the smallest majorities in the UK, of only 148 votes, against the high-profile SNP candidate Alyn Smith. Will the contest be dominated by Brexit and independence or more local issues? Share your thoughts with us here. |
| Wrexham | Wrexham |
| The Tories are hoping to make dramatic gains in Wales – traditionally a Labour stronghold. One of the main battlegrounds is Wrexham. Labour has won here in north Wales since 1935 but at the 2017 election the majority for Ian Lucas was only 1,832. | The Tories are hoping to make dramatic gains in Wales – traditionally a Labour stronghold. One of the main battlegrounds is Wrexham. Labour has won here in north Wales since 1935 but at the 2017 election the majority for Ian Lucas was only 1,832. |
| Lucas, a pro-remainer, has stepped down and the Tories are hopeful their candidate, Sarah Atherton, a former soldier, nurse, social worker and micro-brewery owner, can win. The constituency is for Brexit, with 59% voting leave. But the Brexit Party is standing, which could split the pro-leave vote. | Lucas, a pro-remainer, has stepped down and the Tories are hopeful their candidate, Sarah Atherton, a former soldier, nurse, social worker and micro-brewery owner, can win. The constituency is for Brexit, with 59% voting leave. But the Brexit Party is standing, which could split the pro-leave vote. |
| Are you thinking of switching your vote – we’re particularly interested in hearing from traditional Labour supporters who’re thinking of taking their votes elsewhere. You can share your views here. | Are you thinking of switching your vote – we’re particularly interested in hearing from traditional Labour supporters who’re thinking of taking their votes elsewhere. You can share your views here. |
| You can also share your views, pictures and videos via WhatsApp by clicking here or adding the contact +44(0)7867825056. Leave contact details if you can as one of our journalists may be in touch to discuss further. | You can also share your views, pictures and videos via WhatsApp by clicking here or adding the contact +44(0)7867825056. Leave contact details if you can as one of our journalists may be in touch to discuss further. |