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Eastleigh byelection: voters explain why they voted Ukip Eastleigh byelection: voters explain why they voted Ukip
(7 months later)
Peter Woodhouse, 43, train driverPeter Woodhouse, 43, train driver
One of the reasons I voted for Ukip is immigration. I'm worried about the dropping of the barrier in January. I fully expect 2-4 million Bulgarians and Romanians to come over. What's it going to be like? We're a small island.One of the reasons I voted for Ukip is immigration. I'm worried about the dropping of the barrier in January. I fully expect 2-4 million Bulgarians and Romanians to come over. What's it going to be like? We're a small island.
For me, we're full. It's not about race, it's about space. We haven't got the roads, we haven't got the infrastructure. I used to vote for Labour when I was in Hartlepool. I voted for Peter Mandelson. I like him. I voted for Chris Huhne because he's a well-educated man and you need that to drive parties on. This is a protest vote in a way but now I've voted for them once it will make it easier in the future. I'll certainly look at them all again next time depending on their policies. Labour shut itself off from me because of uncontrolled immigration. The Tories have come in and they seem hamstrung by the Liberal Democrats. They can't get their policies through.For me, we're full. It's not about race, it's about space. We haven't got the roads, we haven't got the infrastructure. I used to vote for Labour when I was in Hartlepool. I voted for Peter Mandelson. I like him. I voted for Chris Huhne because he's a well-educated man and you need that to drive parties on. This is a protest vote in a way but now I've voted for them once it will make it easier in the future. I'll certainly look at them all again next time depending on their policies. Labour shut itself off from me because of uncontrolled immigration. The Tories have come in and they seem hamstrung by the Liberal Democrats. They can't get their policies through.
The Lib Dem ideals don't seem to be those of the average working person.The Lib Dem ideals don't seem to be those of the average working person.
Tina Astley, 58, businesswomanTina Astley, 58, businesswoman
It's important this country remains as good as it has always been. We can't keep letting our human and political rights filter away. That's not to say we have to be exclusive. I agree with Ukip on housing – there should be good-quality housing that people can afford. My two stepsons are in their 20s and in good jobs but they don't have a chance of buying a house. I like the way they think about pensioners too. We've worked hard, we've paid our way for a very long time. To have our pension mean nothing in the future is very worrying. A fair day's pay for a good day's work. I've voted for other parties in the past. I've voted Lib Dem a couple of times and Tories twice.It's important this country remains as good as it has always been. We can't keep letting our human and political rights filter away. That's not to say we have to be exclusive. I agree with Ukip on housing – there should be good-quality housing that people can afford. My two stepsons are in their 20s and in good jobs but they don't have a chance of buying a house. I like the way they think about pensioners too. We've worked hard, we've paid our way for a very long time. To have our pension mean nothing in the future is very worrying. A fair day's pay for a good day's work. I've voted for other parties in the past. I've voted Lib Dem a couple of times and Tories twice.
That was on local issues. I wouldn't vote Lib Dem again. Ukip has come a long way and can go a long way with ordinary people. There are a lot of hard-working people behind them. I'd never vote for Labour, I don't like their policies or the way they are financed. I don't want to talk about them.That was on local issues. I wouldn't vote Lib Dem again. Ukip has come a long way and can go a long way with ordinary people. There are a lot of hard-working people behind them. I'd never vote for Labour, I don't like their policies or the way they are financed. I don't want to talk about them.
Geoff Bulleyment, 79, retired Royal Marine and school cleanerGeoff Bulleyment, 79, retired Royal Marine and school cleaner
I'd always been a Conservative until about three years ago. We are no longer Great Britain. I did 22 years in the services fighting communism. For what? What did we achieve? David Cameron is not a Conservative, no way. He is a social democrat, a Lib Dem. I was one of the first to vote down there in Fair Oak. We want out of Europe. The big local issue around here is lack of jobs. We don't seem to be able to find jobs for our younger people. I've got 12 grandchildren. When I look around, I think: 'Where are they going to find jobs, where are they going to find places to live?' I'm worried about crime as well. Come here on a Friday night, Saturday night, it's terrible when the pubs are turning out. Where are the boys in blue? Not to be seen.I'd always been a Conservative until about three years ago. We are no longer Great Britain. I did 22 years in the services fighting communism. For what? What did we achieve? David Cameron is not a Conservative, no way. He is a social democrat, a Lib Dem. I was one of the first to vote down there in Fair Oak. We want out of Europe. The big local issue around here is lack of jobs. We don't seem to be able to find jobs for our younger people. I've got 12 grandchildren. When I look around, I think: 'Where are they going to find jobs, where are they going to find places to live?' I'm worried about crime as well. Come here on a Friday night, Saturday night, it's terrible when the pubs are turning out. Where are the boys in blue? Not to be seen.
Sarah Holt, 37, shopworkerSarah Holt, 37, shopworker
I haven't voted before but I've been impressed by Ukip. I drink in the Wagon Works pub where the party people have been having their dinner.I haven't voted before but I've been impressed by Ukip. I drink in the Wagon Works pub where the party people have been having their dinner.
They have talked to me about their policies and I agree with a lot of what they have told me. There's going to be more and more foreigners coming in and taking everything from us. It's diabolical. They come and get this and that. We couldn't go to their country. It can be tough making ends meet but I manage because I live alone. I wasn't impressed by the other parties.They have talked to me about their policies and I agree with a lot of what they have told me. There's going to be more and more foreigners coming in and taking everything from us. It's diabolical. They come and get this and that. We couldn't go to their country. It can be tough making ends meet but I manage because I live alone. I wasn't impressed by the other parties.
Diane [the Ukip candidate Diane James] is lovely. The main man, Nigel, seemed nice as well. It's made me interested in finding out more about politics. I felt like I made my mark this time and I felt there were reasons for me to do it. That's what you have to do in life, you have to do the right thing to show what you believe in.Diane [the Ukip candidate Diane James] is lovely. The main man, Nigel, seemed nice as well. It's made me interested in finding out more about politics. I felt like I made my mark this time and I felt there were reasons for me to do it. That's what you have to do in life, you have to do the right thing to show what you believe in.
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