Voters in Blackburn have voiced their opinions over what issues matter to them ahead of the General Election.
Opinions varied from cutting business rates to taking a closer look at health – along with differing takes on Rishi Sunak’s national service proposals.
Blackburn has been represented in Westminster by Labour MP, Kate Hollern since 2015, and her current majority stands at 18,304.
One constituent who will be backing her come polling day on July 4, is 25-year-old Blake Aspen.
He told the Lancashire Telegraph he only registered to vote recently after he saw the Tories' plans to reintroduce national service.
He said: “When you can earn more at McDonald's, than you can in the army why would you go?
“As soon as I saw that policy I was telling my friends in group chats ‘quick register to vote’.”
The Prime Minister announced over the weekend that if his party wins the forthcoming election, a mandatory national service scheme will be introduced for 18-year-olds – which would entail either a year in the armed forces or spending one weekend a month volunteering in a public service.
Compulsory conscription to the army ended in 1960, following its introduction at the start of World War Two.
Anthony Postlethwaite, 88, served as a regular and says that the recent Conservative policy might sway him to vote for them.
He believes the policy “would get young people into a routine and deter them from the streets."
Small business owner Howard Grocott, from "Vapevolt" in Blackburn’s Mall, believes business rates are a key issue among the town’s voters.
Mr Grocott said his small stall inside the shopping centre costs him “£400 a week."
He added: “I have to make two and a half grand before I’m even in profit, I’ve been in retail for 15 years and it’s gone downhill.
“There are just not many people who will take a punt on starting a business given the current costs.”
Mr Grocott will be voting Labour “regrettably” as he’s unsure whether Keir Starmer is the man to turn things around.
He said: “I’m old enough to remember sitting around a candle during 1970s strikes under Labour, so whether they’ll be any better I don’t know.”
Another factor deterring Mr Grocott from a Conservative vote is their stance on banning disposable vapes.
He said: "They've said they are going to ban disposables, but some disposables don't have nicotine in, so aren't as addictive.
"Will they be banning those as well? They haven't thought it through."
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill brings the ban into action from April 1, 2025, in a move also backed by the Labour party - who criticised the Government for not acting on the devices sooner.
Another resident Ms Hollern can rely on for a vote is Joseph Fagan.
He said: “Towns like Blackburn are in the state they are in because of the Tories, the money is being kept to themselves.
“I won’t be voting Reform either as they are just Tories as well.”
Jake Bennison, 21, will also be backing Keir Starmer’s party.
He said: “I really don’t want to vote Labour, but they’re the only alternative to the Tories, who’ve done absolutely nothing for Blackburn or young people.”
Aside from Ms Hollern, four other candidates have currently been selected for Blackburn - Craig Murray from the Workers Party of Britain, Tommy Temperley of Reform UK, Paul Topping of the Social Democratic Party and Adam Waller-Slack from the Liberal Democrats.
Long time Conservative voter and private dentist, Lindsay Wigglesworth, who lives in Mellor, thinks health should be a talking point ahead of polling day.
He said: “A lot of under 11s haven’t seen a dentist up here which worrying.”
“More NHS patients have been seen at private places this year than in the last three, so I think the Tories are doing a decent job,” Mr Wigglesworth said.
He added: “Another issue is getting a GP appointment up here, where my parents live in Hereford getting an appointment is so much easier.”
The dentist admitted he was still unsure who to vote for.
Among the other reactions when asked about the election, a woman working in an outdoor clothing store said “bring back the Monster Raving Loony Party” after bursting out in laughter with the thought of backing any politicians.
Blackburn is one of 20 towns "most in need of levelling up" according to the government, with funding directed to the council reaching £125m in March.
The town’s regeneration masterplan was dented earlier this year, however, when it was announced the proposed new Morrisons supermarket, to be built on the old Thwaites brewery site, had been scrapped.
Investment has been promised in some of the town’s cultural venues, including King Georges Hall, Imperial Mill and The Cotton Exchange.
Polling stations will open on Thursday, July 4 from 7am to 10pm.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel