General Election 2015: Bristol North West

As soon as polls close on May 7 B24/7 will be bringing you all the latest General Election news, views and results as it happens throughout the night.

In the first of our constituency profiles we look at Bristol North West and asked voters from across the constituency what they thought of politics, politicians and promises.

Bristol North West could be a close call and the constituency is often held-up as a long standing bellwether seat, having elected the candidate of the winning party in the nine general elections since October 1974 (inclusive).

Conservative MP Charlotte Leslie has represented Bristol North West since 2010.

General Election Result 2010

2015 General Election Candidates

Clare Campion-Smith Liberal Democrats
Michael Frost UK Independence Party (UKIP)
Darren Jones Labour Party
Anne Lemon Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
Charlotte Leslie Conservative Party
Justin Quinnell Green Party

More information on the candidates and a full list of polling stations

Bristol 24/7 asked Bristol North West residents for their views on the forthcoming elections.

Ashley Francis, 26, unemployed, Avonmouth

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for? No

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
Not yet. They could convince me with better paying jobs.

3. Do you trust election promises?No. They never fulfil them

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?Not enough cash machines.

Brian Nicholas, 74, retired painter, Avonmouth

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for? Charlotte Church? I think they’re all crooks.

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
I do know

3. Do you trust election promises?  Not one little bit. Load of bollocks

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?Pensioners

Jenna Yates, 25, kitchen assistant, Kingsweston

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for? No

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
I don’t vote

3. Do you trust election promises?They’re a load of crap and fake

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency? Loads! Couldn’t name one

Graham Sothott, 64, music teacher, Kingsweston

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for? No

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
I think so

3. Do you trust election promises?No, because you cannot promise things with regard to each social situation

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?Employment is important. Real jobs

Tom Bye, 24, volunteer, Kingsweston

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for? No

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
I don’t think I’ve had a vote card

3. Do you trust election promises?I did at one point, but there’s so much said that you don’t always trust

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?Can’t get jobs around here. This place is so small

Lady Screan, 68, retired carer, Henbury

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for? No idea

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
Yes, I always vote

3. Do you trust election promises?No. They never turn out to be right

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?National Health and crime

Maureen Evans, 68, retired, Henbury

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for? Not by name

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
Yes, I vote by post

3. Do you trust election promises?The Prime Minister has broken every promise

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?National Health and lack of youth clubs

Harry Green, 83, retired, Henbury

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for? I know Windsor, but that’s about it

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
I haven’t made my mind up

3. Do you trust election promises?They just talk a lot and change their mind

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency? Immigration

Keith Lewis, 62, carer, Southmead

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for? No, I’m not interested.

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
No, and nothing

3. Do you trust election promises?No, they always break them

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?Lack of shopping

Melanie Serle, 46, caterer, Southmead

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for? Nope.

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
 Not yet. Help for lower incomes

3. Do you trust election promises?No because they all just want you to vote for them

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?Youth problems, drugs and keeping young people busy

Gail Collins, 45, cleaner, Southmead

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for? No I don’t

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
Yes, Green Party

3. Do you trust election promises?  No. They say one thing and so the other

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?Schools and play areas

David Rayner, 82, writer, Westbury-on-Trym

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for? No

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
Yes

3. Do you trust election promises?Depends on the person, but yes if they speak honestly

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?Merging the areas

Anna McColl, 36, nurse, Westbury-on Trym

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for? I know of them

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
Yes

3. Do you trust election promises?I don’t always trust them as things change

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?Local services and children services

Ray Gunning, 60, teacher, Horfield

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for?  Vaguely

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
I have decided

3. Do you trust election promises?I don’t because when they get into power, they can’t follow them through due to general public pressure

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?National Health and education

Tanya Barrow, 27, teacher, Henleaze

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for? No

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?

I haven’t decided. I’m going to watch more debates on the news and read the leaflets

3. Do you trust election promises?No because in the last elections, the people I voted for ended up not sticking to a lot of their promises

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?It’s guaranteed the Conservatives are getting in so it’s not very representative

Caroline Slade, 63, volunteer, Henleaze

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for? Yes, I know Charlotte Leslie

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?

I’ve always voted Lib Dem and probably won’t change my mind. I think we need a coalition to make it balanced

3. Do you trust election promises?Yes and no. I think they can make a difference, but the power lies with bigger businesses. We’d have better politicians if the media stopped hounding

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?People are often asset rich and cash poor and they can’t downsize. There needs to be more creative housing planning for older groups. Transport as well. There needs to be more buses. There are not enough creative transport options. We can’t all get on bikes.

John Hickling, 61, retired, Henleaze

1.     No.

2.     No, I’m trying to apply Christian values.

3.     I don’t. They make promises to get in and obviously can’t fulfil.

4.     I haven’t given it much consideration.