From ‘Risky’ Sunak to questions for our biggest parties... the view on the streets
PEOPLE in Northern Ireland have had their say on the crunch issues that will determine how they will cast their ballots in the upcoming General Election and expressed a strong appetite for change.
Health, education and the economy ranked highly on the list of concerns in the minds of voters on the streets of Belfast and Londonderry yesterday.
Jim Boyd (69) believes the summer poll could result in a higher turnout with people more likely to attend polling stations compared to other times of the year.
The North Belfast voter said health, education and environmental issues are his key priorities.
“I have nieces and nephews, so I really care about the issues facing schools and I also care a lot about the environment,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
The stroke survivor recalled his own experience of the NHS as he praised the “brilliant” staff who looked after him when he was hospitalised on a number of occasions.
“But they are under serious pressure due to inadequate resources and that needs to change,” Mr Boyd added.
“I’m hoping to see an end to the Tories’ 14-year-long reign.”
However, the self-described left-wing voter expressed apprehension about the Labour
Party under the direction of Sir Keir Starmer.
“You don’t know what he’ll do because he hasn’t been tested yet — he declared war on the left as far as I’m concerned.
“I’d like Labour to get in just to see what they do.
“As a pensioner, I can’t really complain about the Conservatives because they stuck to their promise of ringfencing pensions.
“But Risky Sunak, as I call him, is just a Tory who would say anything to get elected — and I just don’t like the Tories.”
As far as NI’S 18 constituency seats go, Mr Boyd believes the DUP is in trouble and predicted they will lose at least two of their eight seats.
“The TUV is going to do them some harm, there’s no two ways about it.
“Sinn Fein has come up a long way in recent years and that is going to make a big difference, but I think Alliance will continue its surge.”
Meanwhile, Lucy Hutchinson (20) identified abortion access and gay rights as the issues that matter most to her.
However, she has become disillusioned with orange and green tribalism in NI.
“I don’t know if I will vote — I have voted for the Green Party in the past,” she said.
“There is very little choice for young people in local politics because everybody takes their own side.”
Many voters expressed frustration with politicians on all sides of the spectrum for failing to deliver on past promises.
“My key issue is finding a candidate who will actually do
what they say they will,” one woman said.
Another person echoed that sentiment, adding: “I just want a representative who will actually do their job.”
A West Belfast female voter picked out the economy as the single biggest problem that needs to be urgently addressed by those seeking to win or retain seats at Westminster.
She also admitted she’ll be seeking a change in her constituency which has been represented by Sinn Fein’s Paul Maskey since 2011.
“I hope the election results in the end of Tory austerity because the working class are getting nothing — there’s the poor, no gap in-between, and the rich,” she said.
However, the practising Catholic also expressed con
cern about issues including abortion and euthanasia, which she is against.
It comes almost two weeks after an assisted dying law moved a step closer to being passed in the Isle of Man.
“These things always seep into NI eventually, it’s always a slippery slope,” the former healthcare worker said.
“We need the Tories out and Labour in — more spending will mean NI gets more money and we need it for the NHS and education.
“In NI, I think the DUP will pay a price for holding the country to ransom over the Windsor Framework row.
“But there’s still a question mark over Sinn Fein emerging as the biggest party — we need a lot of change in this country and they play Mickey Mouse politics by not even taking their seats in the House of Commons.”
An elderly lady in south Belfast said health is the most important matter for her when it comes to voting as well as the cost-of-living crisis.
“I worry about the price of food — it’s just getting too much,” she said.
“I won’t decide who I’ll vote for until I see the full list of candidates.”
Meanwhile in Derry, where the battle for Foyle is expected to be one of the most hotly contested, voters also expressed a sense of disillusionment.
William Stewart (75) didn’t hold back when asked for his views on the General Election.
“Crap,” he said. “I don’t think Westminster has delivered anything for anybody, only themselves. Stormont is worse.”
Mr Stewart identified housing and jobs as his two priorities on July 4.
Meanwhile, Maya Crilly (25) is “buzzing” about the snap election and the potential it brings for radical change.
“It’s well overdue,” she said. “Everything needs an overhaul and I think more young people need to get involved in politics and have their voice heard because it seems to be very much an all boys’ club right now.”
But the young voter will be driven by international issues when it comes to casting her ballot for People Before Profit, refusing to vote for anyone who hasn’t “spoken out” against Israel’s war in Gaza.
Ms Crilly believes Sinn Fein’s position on events in the Middle East will have pushed even “staunch voters” away.
Janice Mullan (57), who is vice-president of the Ulster Teachers’ Union, said it is
“about time” there was a General Election.
Not surprisingly education is her number one issue and she wants to see more funding for children with special needs.
“Schools are crumbling and our children deserve more,” she added.
“Our politicians are good at blaming Westminster but our politicians have to be held to account as well. It’s time they went to Westminster and got us money.”