General election Labour beat the Conservatives by just 192 votes at the last general election in Southampton Itchen – which includes Bitterne Park – so it's an 'ultra-marginal' seat where your vote could make all the difference on May 7. We asked all six candidates to tell us what they'll do if elected, and put a series of crowd sourced questions to them. Here's how those who would be your next MP answered.
• Southampton Itchen: What residents say
• Your local election choices for Bitterne Park ward
If you live in St Denys click here to read about the general election in your constituency, which is Southampton Test.
The following pie chart shows how your votes were distributed for the Southampton Itchen seat at the last general election in 2010, which was held on to by a whisker by John Denham for Labour (who's standing down at this election). 59% of the electorate voted.
You can see the figures on the BBC website.
Perhaps more revealing is the next chart which includes the proportion of you who could have, but didn't vote in the constituency in 2010 as part of the whole (shown by the largest, grey, segment). Clearly, any increase in turnout – or switch from one party to another – could have a significant effect on the final result in the forthcoming general election in Itchen.
Data: BBC/Wikipedia
In an attempt to find out more about our voting choices in this most marginal constituency, we offered each candidate the same chance to answer identical questions, most of which were either sent in via social media or suggested by residents when we were out and about interviewing them about the election in Bitterne Park.
So here are your voting choices for the general election on Thursday, May 7 to elect members of parliament, unedited and in alphabetical order, with a picture where supplied or already held by us.
• There are also local elections to elect Southampton city councillors taking place on May 7, but the following interviews are with candidates who want to represent Southampton Itchen constituency nationally.
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ATKINS Sue, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
BELL Eleanor, Liberal Democrats
ROSE Kim, UK Independence Party (UKIP)
SMITH Royston, The Conservative Party Candidate
SPOTTISWOODE John Charles Thomas, Green Party
ATKINS Sue, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
Please introduce yourself and include any party affiliations.
I am Sue Atkins, the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) candidate for the Southampton Itchen constituency. I am also a member of the Socialist Party and the Unite Trade Union. I actively campaign within my community to defend jobs and services.
If you're elected, what would you like to achieve for Southampton?
I would like to see an end to ‘austerity’ which isn’t working, the restoration of government funding to the City Council so that jobs and services are protected, and an end to privatisation.
And what would you like to achieve specifically for Bitterne Park?
I would keep Cobbett Road Library open and also the Bitterne Walk-in Centre with its opening hours extended. I would protect local schools from becoming academies and keep them under local democratic control.
How will you address the increase in poverty and the rise of food banks in the area?
A minimum wage of £10 per hour NOW, ban zero hour contracts, scrap the ‘bedroom tax’, end sanctions imposed on the unemployed by the Job Centre, and rent controls to bring down the cost of housing.
What support and opportunities will you offer young people?
Give grants to students and scrap tuition fees, restore the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) to further education students. Provide genuine apprenticeships to all who want them. Rent controls to provide affordable housing.
What will you do about the high level of immigrants?
I oppose the scapegoating of immigrants, they are not to blame for the problems that working class people face. A minimum wage of £10 per hour for all, and all jobs to be advertised in this country would take away the incentive for employers to choose one section of workers over another.
Will you vote to take us out of the EU?
The EU is run in the interests of big business and is imposing great hardship on the working people of Greece and other EU countries, and as such I would vote to take us out of the EU. However, I support solidarity with working people throughout the EU and would work for a Europe planned and run in the interests of the millions, not the millionaires.
All parties talk about building more homes for sale. How will they build more homes for rent?
Local councils should be given the powers and access to low interest loans for a mass programme of council house building which should not be available for sale. This would also create jobs for the unemployed.
There's obviously support from voters from all parties for libraries (research shows people would pay more council tax to keep libraries open), so why aren't politicians working harder to protect them?
Libraries are seen as an easy target when councillors are trying to cut costs due to the cuts in funding by Government. We need politicians who are prepared to refuse to make cuts to any of our important and valued services and mount a campaign within our communities to get the resources back from the Government.
For more information see www.tusc.org.uk or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
BELL Eleanor, Liberal Democrats
Please introduce yourself and include any party affiliations.
Hello, I’m Eleanor Bell and I’m the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Southampton Itchen. I’ve worked in Southampton for twenty years and lived in the area for over thirty. My career has spanned Further and Higher Education, including Teacher Education, and I have also worked as a Project Manager within the NHS, working on national patient data requirements. So I have direct experience of two sectors of exceptional importance to the people of Southampton Itchen and have been subject to disruptive interventions by successive governments. Both sectors desperately need a period of stability now and cross party consensus going forward.
If you're elected, what would you like to achieve for Southampton?
I will work with the City Council and business and service providers to enhance the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of Southampton through appropriate infrastructure, effective services and a thriving business sector, providing jobs where they are needed, good quality affordable housing, sufficient nursery, school and college places, and effective public services, including health and social care and public transport. Wellbeing includes those aspects which make life interesting and pleasurable, such as libraries, parks, social and community centres, and adult and continuing education. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, we must strive to develop sustainable infrastructure and lifestyles, and harness the exceptional opportunities offered to us in the Solent area to develop renewable energy sources using wave and tidal energy.
And what would you like to achieve specifically for Bitterne Park?
Bitterne Park is a lovely area of the city, with a thriving small business sector and friendly social and community infrastructure. However, there are many small things that could make life better there, including public toilets which are open at weekends (Riverside Park) and bigger things such as the retention of the public library at Cobbett Road, and a Sunday market (a suggestion by one of the traders at Bitterne Park Triangle). Much is achieved by tireless volunteers, but they deserve better support from the city council and other providers (and I would prefer services not to be outsourced to contractors divorced from the real life issues of local people). I would work with shops and small businesses, schools and community groups, to combine their efforts for the good of all.
How will you address the increase in poverty and the rise of food banks in the area?
Widespread poverty and increased reliance on food banks, such as the weekly event at the Old Chemist at Bitterne Park Triangle, is a consequence of factors beyond Southampton City itself – austerity measures to cope with the inherited deficit, translated into cuts to local council budgets, cuts in benefits, the lack of affordable housing and social rented accommodation, the rise in the private rented sector and rising rent levels. However, cuts by local authorities are still subject to choice and priorities. People living in poverty must be supported in their search for employment and affordable accommodation, and in particular provision made for children so that they do not suffer disproportionate disadvantage throughout their childhood. In the short term, food banks and all voluntary sector activity which addresses the immediate crisis of need, must be supported. Longer term, we must work to eradicate the causes of such poverty and inequality.
What support and opportunities will you offer young people?
There must be a coherent programme of provision for children and young people from 0 to 19. This includes quality ante-natal, maternity and post-natal care, paid shared parental leave, excellent free child care provision, free school meals for infants and juniors, quality schools in every neighbourhood with sufficient places to meet the needs of families in that community, a qualified teacher in every classroom, supported by auxiliary staff, a cap on class sizes and a trend towards smaller classes. The Pupil Premium has made huge difference to the life chances of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Finally, a range of 16-19 college provision, covering all types of programme, academic and vocational, artistic and scientific, business and engineering. All school and college provision should be linked to the local community, providing skills training for local business and leisure and continuing education for adults.
What will you do about the high level of immigrants?
Again this needs to be addressed at national level, with effective in and out border checks and a clear policy on what skills are required by the UK economy. In local terms, migrant communities gravitate to where other members of their community already exist, which may lead to concentrations of one group or another. This is not in itself a problem, if the incoming groups contribute to the local economy and seek to integrate with the local community. However there is bound to be an impact on the local housing and jobs markets, and it is essential that such migratory movements are not allowed to depress local wage standards or overload local services. Local authorities must consider the health, housing and schooling needs of the whole community and plan for it accordingly, so that no group is disadvantaged.
Will you vote to take us out of the EU?
No I will vote to keep us in the EU, but argue strongly for reform where necessary and to defend the rights and needs of the British public. The EU has brought many benefits to the people of Europe, not least in cross border issues such as industry standards, environmental pollution, crime and policing. UK businesses and our economy, local and national, would suffer disproportionately from a unilateral withdrawal from the EU, and the EU would be the weaker for it. Our transatlantic allies, our Commonwealth partners and our global trade links, all want us to stay in the EU, knowing that a strong UK within a strong EU is to everyone’s advantage.
All parties talk about building more homes for sale. How will they build more homes for rent?
Local councils must bite the bullet and start an intensive programme of social housing provision, either owned and maintained by the council (preferable) or by Housing Associations. Through the Conservative government of the 1980-90s, this was specifically forbidden, and the Labour government of the 1990-2000s only moved in the last years of their administration to lift the restrictions. This is where ‘borrowing to invest’ (as in individual mortgages) is to be supported, as opposed to borrowing for day to day running (as on credit cards) providing the borrowing is kept within sensible levels. The recent Conservative promise that tenants of housing associations will have the right to buy their homes at hugely subsidised rates will do nothing to increase housing supply and will discourage Housing Associations from making this sort of investment in the future. Local councils should be proud to provide quality affordable rented homes for their citizens, and citizens should feel proud to live in them.
There's obviously support from voters from all parties for libraries (research shows people would pay more council tax to keep libraries open), so why aren't politicians working harder to protect them?
National government can claim this is a devolved local decision, but yet cut the budget allocations of local councils. Local councils blame the cuts in budget allocation forced on them by national government, and look around for the least worst options to cut. They may think that there is less harm in cutting libraries than in care provision or schools or housing. But the truth is they cut all of it. And there is as much harm in cutting what provides emotional, intellectual and spiritual wellbeing to a community as there is in cutting physical services. Libraries do not cost much in the great scheme of things, but provide immense benefit, to young and old, as do parks and recreation spaces, footpaths and cycle ways, and yes, public toilets. We must fight to keep and improve them all.
For more information see www.southampton-libdems.org.uk or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please introduce yourself and include any party affiliations.
Hi, my name’s Rowenna Davis and I consider myself a Bitterne Parker, as I live just off Whitworth Crescent and seem to spend half my life wandering up and down the Triangle! I’ve been self-employed for six years writing about social injustice in modern Britain, covering everything from abuse in care homes to conditions in our schools and prisons. After years writing about these problems I decided I wanted to be part of a team that actually did something about them. So I joined the Labour party and here I am.
If you're elected, what would you like to achieve for Southampton?
Southampton has such a proud history, but when I listen to residents, there’s a concern that we’ve lost a lot of our traditional industrial heritage. Fords, Pirelli, Vosper Thornycroft have all gone, along with the apprenticeships and livelihoods they provided, and zero hour minimum wage jobs are sadly often what takes their place. I'd like to work with residents and business leaders to change that.
Another important priority for me is to protect and grow our sense of community here in the city. I’m not someone who believes government can do everything – particularly in these difficult economic times – so it’s important that we find ways for our fantastic local people to contribute, especially on big challenges like climate change and loneliness. We’ll have to work together to fix these things, and I hope I can support that.
And what would you like to achieve specifically for Bitterne Park?
It’s really important to support our traders in Bitterne Park Triangle, as well as our wonderful park. Those are really the centres of our community here and they must be protected. Earlier this year I worked with some of the traders to help put on Christmas at the Triangle, which was a wonderful success. I haven’t seen so many people laughing and talking in the Triangle for ages, and the real life donkeys certainly helped! It would be good to continue supporting the businesses here, welcoming delicious newcomers like Dora’s Cups and Cones and the Butcher's Hook, as well as perhaps working to attract some other services. People tell me they miss having a bank, a post office and a chemist for example.
How will you address the increase in poverty and the rise of food banks in the area?
As some readers may know, I've volunteered at our foodbank here in Bitterne Park for nearly two years (it’s open on a Wednesday morning in the Old Chemist for anyone who wants to donate food). It’s shocking to see how many families – often those with children who have never needed help before – can’t afford to eat in the 21st Century. Listening to foodbank visitors, there seem to be two major causes behind rising foodbank use. The first is the government’s malicious changes to social security, including the rise in sanctions, and the second is poverty pay and unstable jobs. To help, Labour would scrap the bedroom tax, overhaul the sanctions system and raise the minimum wage to £8 an hour whilst ending exploitative zero hour contracts.
What support and opportunities will you offer young people?
I’m constantly shocked by how much pressure our young people are under, and how much they fear exam failure, debt and unemployment. Labour wants to reduce the excessive emphasis on exams, and this government’s hierarchy of subjects that - for example - tell young people that arts and drama are less important than English and maths. We also want to bring back respected, vocational education to our country again, and reduce university tuition fees by £3,000 a year. After university we want to introduce a job’s guarantee for any young person who has been out of work for over twelve months. More locally, I think we should listen to young people and see what other activities they want after school, be it sport or art. On a personal level, it’s been great to take on young work experience students from.the area including some from Bitterne Park school. They have helped me with my lines in TV studios and joined me knocking on doors for Labour in Bitterne Park.
What will you do about the high level of immigrants?
Southampton is a port city, so we’ve been built on trade and the movement of people from other nations, and that’s a good thing. However, numbers have increased dramatically over the last decade, and when I knock on doors and listen to people you can see that this has caused some concerns. Labour wants to make sure that we clamp down on dodgy agencies that bring over migrants to undercut local wages, and often exploit their workers in the process. We also want to raise the minimum wage and strengthen employment law so there can’t be a race to the bottom on pay. Labour also values contribution in our system. So for example, we’ve said that you can’t go on the housing waiting list unless you’ve lived in our city for three years. Finally, we want to make sure we are celebrating English culture. So for example I’m working with John Denham to put on another St George’s Day event for the city this year, which everyone is welcome to, regardless of party affiliation!
Will you vote to take us out of the EU?
No. As I said before, Southampton is a port city. We’ve always made our way in the world through trade, and I think it would put jobs and commerce at risk if pulled out. We also need to stick up to the likes of Russia and ISIS as well as solving climate change, and these problems are hard to solve in isolation. But that doesn’t mean the EU doesn’t need reform. It’s too bureaucratic, distant and, I think, right wing. Labour would fight to reform the EU, not end it.
All parties talk about building more homes for sale. How will they build more homes for rent?
Labour has said that we will build 200,000 new homes a year, which could also be rented. Once the price of home buying comes down, so does the price of renting. We also have very strong policies clamping down on certain parts of the private rented market. We want to scrap letting fees for instance, and we also want to ensure respectful tenants have the right to a longer, more secure future in their properties.
There's obviously support from voters from all parties for libraries (research shows people would pay more council tax to keep libraries open), so why aren't politicians working harder to protect them?
Cobbett Road Library is my local, and it’s treasured by so many of us. I’ve worked hard with the Friends of Cobbett Road over the last few months to try and keep it open. The challenge is that Southampton city council has been cut by a third over the last few years by the Conservative national government, and that has forced some horrible decisions, not just in libraries but in things like social care – and that’s with the council having already been forced to raise tax! That means our libraries have to adapt. One option I’m still exploring is whether Ford or a similar big institution could help Cobbett Road through a community grant for instance. If any readers have any other suggestions, please do get in touch.
For more information see rowennadavis.org.uk or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ROSE Kim, UK Independence Party (UKIP)
No response received by our deadline
SMITH Royston, The Conservative Party Candidate
Please introduce yourself and include any party affiliations.
I am the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Southampton Itchen. I have lived in Southampton all my life. I grew up in Bitterne Park where my parents still live. I attended Bitterne Park infants, juniors and secondary. I used to own Triangle Cycles, which was a cycle shop for over 60 years and many locals still remember fondly.
I think I am the most qualified candidate in this election. I served ten years in the Royal Air Force, 16 years in the private sector at British Airways and 15 years back in public service as a councillor. As the Leader of Southampton City Council I put our case locally, regionally and nationally at every opportunity.
If you're elected, what would you like to achieve for Southampton?
Being born and bred in Southampton, I know the unique qualities and challenges facing our city in general and Bitterne Park in particular. We are still often overlooked because of our geographic location in the South East and one of the challenges for the next MP will be to ensure Southampton’s corner is fought at every opportunity.
We still have areas of significant deprivation and we need to give opportunities to our young people so that they can make the most of their lives. Education, skills and apprenticeships will change those young lives. The alternatives are unthinkable. For too long we have written people off because the easiest option is to do nothing. That simply has to change. It is of course a two way street. Government can create opportunities but our young people will need to make the most of them.
And what would you like to achieve specifically for Bitterne Park?
Our schools are outstanding and we need to build on that. We have two of the best head teachers around and we owe them a debt of gratitude for what they have done for our children.
I want to see Riverside Park protected as the fantastic asset it is (with a few more litter bins), and ensure our Cobbett Road Library remains open
How will you address the increase in poverty and the rise of food banks in the area?
We need to create opportunities for people. We need to give families the security of a job and a pay packet at the end of each week. We have made significant progress creating 1.9 million new jobs in very challenging circumstances. Our opponents claimed one million jobs would be lost in the recession, thank goodness they were wrong. However there is more to do.
One food bank is one too many but we must acknowledge the significant contribution those who donate to and volunteer in them make.
It must be remembered that the use of food banks has also increased (and had been increasing under the last government) because of signposting. The council, the job centre and other bodies can now refer people to a food bank with a voucher whereas in the past that was not allowed.
What support and opportunities will you offer young people?
Young people are the county’s future. Firstly we should stop demonising them and treat them as we would want to be treated ourselves.
Their future will be determined on their education, training and future job opportunities. One million more children are taught in outstanding schools than was previously the case. Our ambition and aspiration must be to ensure all children are given that opportunity.
It is important also to say that with the growing trend of cyber bullying and grooming, not just in what we think as the traditional way but in the way of extremism, protecting our children while still allowing them access to the internet will be a priority of mine if I am elected to represent Southampton Itchen in Parliament.
What will you do about the high level of immigrants?
The Conservative Party’s policy is clear on this. We have reduced immigration by a third from those countries outside the European Union but currently we cannot control the flows of immigration from within the EU.
In my opinion this has to change. Immigration has been a good thing for this country but it has never benefitted a country and is unlikely to, if the numbers can’t be controlled.
The Conservative Party is committed to renegotiating the terms of our arrangement with the European Union and putting the result of that renegotiation to the people in an in/out referendum. We simply must renegotiate the free movement of people and replace it with free movement of labour, in my opinion.
Will you vote to take us out of the EU?
There is much said about this. Firstly, we are the only party committed to allowing the British public to have a say on our future relationship with the EU. The other parties think this subject will go away but I don’t believe that for one second.
The Scots have just had a referendum on whether they wanted to stay in the UK. As far as I am aware all the Westminster parties thought that was the right thing to do, but when it comes to the EU they think they know best and the public can’t be trusted.
There is not a referendum today but there will be one before the end of 2017 if we have a majority Conservative Government. If we do not deliver a referendum and I am elected to Parliament, I will resign from the Conservative Party and continue to campaign for a referendum as an independent MP.
All parties talk about building more homes for sale. How will they build more homes for rent?
There are guidelines laid down in law. All new build developments require a minimum of 25% to be affordable. They can be a mixture of rent, part ownership or affordable to buy.
Councils can use their land to influence what and where house builders build. A good example of this is the Estates Regeneration programme which has a mixture of private and affordable for sale and affordable rent provided by a Registered Social Landlord (RSL).
It is interesting to note that more council houses have been built under this government than under the last Labour Government.
There's obviously support from voters from all parties for libraries (research shows people would pay more council tax to keep libraries open), so why aren't politicians working harder to protect them?
I don’t have a straightforward answer to this. I try to remain positive and unless it is a constructive criticism I try to keep away from the partisan petty politics.
Our library is under threat. It’s not just because money is tight, it is also a deliberate move to change how we access information and books. The council feels people don’t use libraries in the traditional way anymore. They are right to some degree. When I used Cobbett Road Library while I was at school it was the only resource I had but these days people access all sorts of things on the internet.
The library needs to change. It needs to share its space with other organisations. The building is there, if we use it for more than just a library I believe we can protect it.
For more information see www.madeinsouthampton.co.uk or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
SPOTTISWOODE John Charles Thomas, Green Party
Please introduce yourself and include any party affiliations.
John Spottiswoode, Green Party candidate for Southampton Itchen. As a long-term resident of Southampton, with my wife and children, I have worked here, been unemployed and have set up a company to promote energy saving for businesses.
If you're elected, what would you like to achieve for Southampton?
My priorities are:
Financial. No pay and low pay lead to poverty. Greens will guarantee a minimum income for citizens and implement a living wage. This will banish poverty whilst ensuring that it is worthwhile for everyone to work. Big corporations and big earners must pay their fair share.
Environmental. The Earth is dying, pollution shortens our lives by years and bad damp housing is unacceptable. We must change all this.
Health. We need to save the NHS. Helping people to help themselves is the secret to long healthy lives. Prevention reduces pressure on the NHS.
And what would you like to achieve specifically for Bitterne Park?
Improve the local environment and amenities, encourage good high quality jobs into the area, make sure all houses are well insulated and encourage local community spirit (e.g. to help Cobbett Road Library). Set up a local neighbourhood council with a devolved budget.
How will you address the increase in poverty and the rise of food banks in the area?
See item on Financial policy above. It is an outrage in a rich country like ours we have so many reliant on food banks whilst the richest avoid paying taxes.
What support and opportunities will you offer young people?
Cut tuition fees to encourage all who can benefit from higher education to get the benefits from this. Expand apprenticeships and encourage local small businesses, particularly in renewable energy generation areas and housing improvements.
What will you do about the high level of immigrants?
Work with other countries to balance the level of immigrants and emigrants. Emphasise the need for funding to follow migrants (e.g. if EU immigrants come here then EU funding should also come to provide the services they need, such as health and education. Protect employment standards via guaranteeing a minimum income and making the minimum wage a living wage of £10 per hour by 2020.
Will you vote to take us out of the EU?
No. There is a need for European cooperation on the large transnational issues and the EU is it. However the EU does need to devolve power and decision making to the lowest practical level. The Green Party has always opposed excessive centralisation and opposed the Euro currency.
All parties talk about building more homes for sale. How will they build more homes for rent?
The Green Party commitment is:
· Greens commit to build 500,000 social rented homes by 2020
· Funds provided by scrapping buy-to-let mortgage interest tax allowance
· More public house building needed urgently, encouraging local Councils to invest in homes for rent
· Everyone has the right to affordable secure housing
- See more at: https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2015/02/05/green-party-policy-announcement-500,000-social-rented-homes-by-2020/#sthash.sxBMg2KX.dpuf
There's obviously support from voters from all parties for libraries (research shows people would pay more council tax to keep libraries open), so why aren't politicians working harder to protect them?
Clearly Libraries are victim of the austerity cuts imposed by central government and enacted by local government. Austerity needs to be reversed in the case of Libraries and paid for by the big corporations and big earners paying their fair share of taxes. The established Westminster Parties are all guilty in this and what is needed are Green policies to change the basis of the debate about local services such as Libraries and the need to grow communities.
For more information see http://southampton.greenparty.org.uk/ or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We'd like to thank the candidates for taking the time to participate in this process, which we hope was useful for them and our readers.
• Southampton Itchen: What residents say
• Your local election choices for Bitterne Park ward
• Your general election choices in Southampton Test
• Your local election choices for Portswood ward
Links
How Southampton Itchen voted in the 2010 general election - on the BBC website
UK Polling Report on Southampton Itchen, by YouGov's Anthony Wells
Break down of national statistics per head of population by local Bitterne Park resident
Statement of persons nominated & location of polling stations - PDF file on SCC website