PROTECTING the NHS is top of the list for Redditch voters this General Election.
Residents taking to the polls on May 7 said their main concern was safeguarding the long term future of the health service.
Speaking to the Standard, John Price, Oliver Stokes and Brenda Gooding all said the public service was a key issue which could sway their decision on which party they wanted in power.
“Education I’m happy with but I am concerned about the National Health Service, it needs to be protected. Lots of my friends have gone private but in the end they have had to turn to the NHS and we need to make sure it is there,” said Mr Price.
The 78-year-old added David Cameron was the ‘best out of the bunch’ and had made good strides in improving the economy.
However Mr Stokes said although he had previously voted Conservatives as well as Liberal Democrat, this year he was leaning towards Labour.
“Conservatives want to privatise too much of the NHS and the health service is a key issue for me, my wife is a midwife as well.
I think Labour will protect public services and support first-time buyers which is also something I agree with – you have to give them go, ” the 30-year-old said.
Brenda Gooding said she was frustrated with claims pensioners were a burden on the NHS.
“They all say the same thing, but then you don’t really see any of it happen or any difference.
“The NHS is a big issue for me, but what frustrates me is they all say pensioners are living too long and we are a burden on the NHS.
“I’m a pensioner and I worked from when I was 15 to 69. I’ve put what I could into society, so we should be able to access the health services we need.”
Mum Jolanta Haponik said the main issues for her was education and childcare, and although she was not yet sure who to vote for she was inclined to pick Labour.
Philip Jarvis said he would be backing the Conservatives as he had always been a Tory voter.
“I can’t see Ed Miliband in Number 10, I don’t really see him as a leader,” he said.
“I have got to admit, in Redditch, Jacqui Smith was very supportive of various history events, but Karen Lumley has always been great too.
“I think the Conservatives are doing a good job, particularly in Redditch, and for the General Election I think you can trust Cameron.”
Young voter Abi Jackson said she was still unsure of who she wanted in government but university fees were top of her agenda.
“I am going away to uni in September so tuition fees are important to me.
“My dad is quite big on politics, but no one has swayed me to vote for a certain party. They say you vote for who you want to.”
