General Election 2015: Bristol South

In the second of our constituency profiles we look at Bristol South and asked voters from across the constituency what they think of politics, politicians and promises.

Could this be the year of change for Bristol South? 

The constituency has elected Labour MPs since 1935, but present incumbent Dawn Primarolo, who has held the seat since 1987, is stepping down this year.

So who is waiting in the wings and will Bristol South remain Labour?

As soon as polls close on May 7, Bristol24/7 will be bringing you all the latest General Election news, views and results as it happens throughout the night.

More information on voting and constituencies.

2010 General Election Results

2015 General Election Candidates

• Tom Baldwin Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
• Tony Dyer Green Party
• Isobel Grant Conservative Party
• Karin Smyth Labour Party
• Steve Wood UK Independence Party (UKIP)
• Mark Wright Liberal Democrats

More information on candidates and full list of polling stations

Bristol24/7 asked residents of Bristol South their views on the forthcoming elections

Evy Louizou, 32, marketing manager, Southville

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. It’s a tough decision as there are a lot of similarities

3. Do you trust election promises?
No, I’ve never seen anything happen quickly enough

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?
Residents parking scheme. I think people in Southville shouldn’t be penalised. Also the issue with recycling black plastic. I also want them to help young parents get back into the workplace.

Wesley Windows, 60+, retired, Southville

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for?
I know our main one who is retiring which is Dawn Primarolo

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
In balance, I want to see how the next 30 days progress

3. Do you trust election promises?
I don’t trust them all. Different parties have broken promises

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?
I’d like to get rid of the Mayor of Bristol. He won’t listen to trust or reason. He’s very self-opinionated.

Yee Poon, 21, student, Southville

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

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

3. Do you trust election promises?
No-one trusts them. You just listen to what they say.

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?
Well the parking schemes are a bad idea in my area.

Carol Archer, 67, retired, Bedminster

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for?
I don’t know

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
None of them can convince me to vote

3. Do you trust election promises?
No, they don’t do what they say

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?
All the shops are closing down so we need more opening up

Angels Tadzembwa, 29, student, Bedminster

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 know who to vote for

3. Do you trust election promises?
No because they can’t deliver.

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?
Housing and jobs.

Jullian Hale, 64, retired housewife, Windmill Hill

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’ve decided

3. Do you trust election promises?
No, I don’t trust them. As soon as they get in, they don’t fulfil them

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?
Crime, traffic and drugs

Ben Smith, 36, lab technician, Windmill Hill

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for?
Yes, I help with the Green Party.

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

3. Do you trust election promises?
No really. Most people are career politicians.

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?
Housing. Renting is pretty diabolical. It should be more affordable. I want to be able to spend my money while I’m alive.

Sonia Proctor, 37, retail manager, Knowle

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for?
Haven’t really read up on it but I will.

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
Not yet, I need to see what everyone’s doing.

3. Do you trust election promises?
I don’t always. Often they say what you want to hear.

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

Nez Rajabi, 34, tailor, Knowle

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for?
 I don’t remember the names.

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

3. Do you trust election promises?

Not really, no. They can’t always do everything.

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

Christine Sargent, 63, retired, Knowle

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for?
Not at the moment.

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?
No based on evidence of people nagging them.

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?
Disability. Getting a parking spot outside my house. They’re too busy to do it with the resident parking schemes!

 Oliver Brodie, 23, surveyor, Hartcliffe

1. Do you know who your candidates are and what they stand for?
No, not really. I’ve just had a few leaflets put through the door.

2. Have you decided who to vote for and, if not, what can the candidates do to change your mind?
I still need to look at the party policies, and then I’ll decide from there.

3. Do you trust election promises?
No.

4. What are the main issues for you in your constituency?
The environment and keeping it green. Good transport routes. And plenty of jobs.