It’s not quite election fever but here are one town’s hot topics
JULY elections are rare, and while certain political parties and candidates may be feeling the heat more than others, it might be a stretch to say election fever has gripped Llanelli.
But people in the town centre generally warmed to the idea of a couple of questions lobbed their way by a reporter, although several hurried on with words to the effect of “a plague on all politicians’ houses” ahead of polling day in just over a fortnight’s time.
We asked respondents to rank the following issues in order of importance: building more homes, better public transport, reducing net migration, more NHS appointments and better outcomes for patients, reducing cost of living pressures, action to tackle and adapt to climate change, and growing the economy.
The second question was to rank what motivates them the most and least when it comes to actually voting.
The options were voting for a particular party, voting for a particular candidate, what’s best for the constituency they live in, what’s best for the UK, and what’s best for their own economic circumstances.
The unscientific findings highlight the complexity of the challenges and opportunities facing Wales and the UK.
Certain themes cropped up time and time again: the frustration of those unable to get on the housing ladder, a deep affection for the NHS, people’s mental health struggles, the cost of living, the multi-faceted migration question, trust in politicians, weakening party loyalties, and the sense that climate change was important but that corporations and other countries must step up to the mark.
Jessica Rhian, 24, a Carmarthenshire Council employee from Llanelli, cited the affordability problems that bedevil many prospective firsttime home buyers like her.
“There’s no point building more homes when I can’t afford them,” she said.
Her ranking of issues in order of importance: 1. NHS appointments and better outcomes for patients 2. Growing the economy 3. Reducing cost of living pressures 4. Reducing net migration 5. Action to tackle and adapt to climate change 6. Better public transport 7. Building more homes.
Her ranking of motivations to vote the way you do: 1. What’s best for the country 2. My own economic circumstances 3. What’s best for the constituency 4. A particular party 5. A particular candidate.
Mandy Davies, 58, a dog groomer from Pembrey, agreed with Jessica that would-be first-time buyers are struggling to get on to the property ladder.
She told of how tough it was for her son and his partner – both of whom work – to own bricks and mortar.
Ranking of issues in order of importance: 1. Reducing cost of living pressures 2. Growing the economy 3. Better public transport 4. Reducing net migration 5. NHS appointments and better outcomes for patients 6. Action to tackle and adapt to climate change 7. Building more homes.
Ranking of motivations that drive you to vote the way you do: 1. What’s best for the country 2. What’s best for the constituency 3. My own economic circumstances 3. What’s best for the constituency 4. A particular candidate 5. A particular party.
Former NHS employee Matthew Thomas, 54, said he was pessimistic about the state of the beloved institution he used to work for, which, although a devolved area in Wales, still relies heavily on Westminster funding.
But without migration, he said, the state health system would be in very precarious territory.
Ranking of issues in order of importance: 1. More NHS appointments and better outcomes for patients 2. Building more homes 3. Action to
tackle and adapt to climate change 4. Reducing cost of living pressures 5. Growing the economy 6. Better public transport 7. Reducing net migration.
Ranking of motivations that drive you to vote the way you do: 1. What’s best for my economic circumstances 2. What’s best for the country 3. Voting for a particular party 4. Voting for a particular candidate 5. What’s best for the constituency I live in
Philip Prendiville, 74, a former fabric welder from Llanelli, meanwhile, said he didn’t want the UK to be “run by millionaires”.
Ranking of issues in order of importance: 1. NHS appointments and better outcomes for patients 2. Growing the economy 3. Reducing cost of living pressures 4. Action to tackle and adapt to climate change 5. Growing the economy 4. Reducing cost of living pressures 5. Better public transport 6. Reducing net migration 7. Building more homes.
Ranking of motivations that drive you to vote the way you do: 1. What’s best for the country 2. A particular party 3. What’s best for the constituency 4. My own economic circumstances 5. A particular candidate.
Stephen Jones, 69, retired publican from Pembrey.
Ranking of issues in order of importance: 1. Growing the economy 2. Reducing cost of living pressures 3. Better public transport 4. Action to tackle and adapt to climate change 5. NHS appointments and better outcomes for patients 6. Building more homes 7. Reducing net migration.
Ranking of motivations that drive you to vote the way you do: 1. A particular candidate 2. What’s best for the constituency 3. What’s best for the country 4. My own economic circumstances 5. A particular party.
Grace Jackson, 68, retired social work lecturer from Bynea.
Ranking of issues in order of importance: 1. NHS appointments and better outcomes for patients 2. Growing the economy 3. Better public transport 4. Reducing net migration 5. Building more homes 6. Reducing cost of living pressures 7. Action to tackle and adapt to climate change.
Ranking of motivations that drive you to vote the way you do: 1. What’s best for the country 2. My own economic circumstances 3. What’s best for the constituency 4. A particular party 5. A particular candidate.
Ken Warnes, 46, of Lanelli, registered disabled but does voluntary work.
Ranking of issues in order of importance: 1. NHS appointments and better outcomes for patients 2. Reducing cost of living pressures 3. Growing the economy 4. Building more homes 5. Better public transport 6. Reducing net migration 7. Action to tackle and adapt to climate change
Ranking of motivations that drive you to vote the way you do: 1. What’s best for the constituency 2. My own economic circumstances 3. What’s best for the country 4. A particular candidate 5. A particular party
Kinga Chmielewska, 34, of Llanelli.
Ranking of issues in order of importance: 1. NHS appointments and better outcomes for patients 2. Building more homes 3. Growing the economy 4. Reducing cost of living pressures 5. Better public transport 6. Reducing net migration 7. Action to tackle and adapt to climate change.
Ranking of motivations that drive you to vote the way you do: 1. What’s best for the country 2. My own economic circumstances 3. What’s best for the constituency 4. A particular party 5. A particular candidate
Carol Evans, 63, a nurse from Gorseinon, Swansea.
Ranking of issues in order of importance: 1. NHS appointments and better outcomes for patients 2. Reducing net migration 3. Building more homes 4. Action to tackle and adapt to climate change 5. Reducing cost of living pressures 6. Better public transport 7. Growing the economy.
Ranking of motivations that drive you to vote the way you do: 1. What’s best for the country 2. My own economic circumstances 3. What’s best for the constituency 4. A particular candidate 5. A particular party
Susan Freeman, 63, an accounts assistant from Pontarddulais.
Ranking of issues in order of importance: 1. NHS appointments and better outcomes for patients 2. Building more homes 3. Reducing net migration 4. Better public transport 5. Reducing cost of living pressures 6. Growing the economy 7. Action to tackle and adapt to climate change
Ranking of motivations that drive you to vote the way you do: 1. What’s best for the country 2. My own economic circumstances 3. What’s best for the constituency 4. A particular candidate 5. A particular party
■ The candidates running for the Llanelli parliamentary seat are Gareth Beer (Reform UK), Rhodri Davies (Plaid Cymru), Charlie Evans (Conservatives), Nia Rhiannon Griffith (Labour), Karen Laurence (Green Party), Chris Passmore (Lib Dem), and Stan Robinson (UKIP). Polling day is July 4.