“What do we pay taxes for?” Cities in Greater Manchester are fed up with potholes, rubbish and poor parking

In Stretford and Urmston they will often find voters who support the opposite parties, but there are at least a few issues they can all agree on…bad potholes and parking for example.

We visited the suburb of Urmston, where some residents were reserved about their views, but one business owner was keen to raise an issue. “Potholes,” he said.

“You see cars swerving on the roads to avoid them all the time. It could cause a dangerous incident, but I think that’s a complaint many of us here can get behind.”

Local education, social care, dentists, litter and poor parking are just some of the many issues residents in the Stretford and Urmston constituency feel need attention ahead of the July 4 general election.

At Stretford Mall, which is undergoing a major redevelopment, shoppers and locals were keen to talk about the major parties’ election campaign and the issues that matter to them.

“Potholes are absolutely ridiculous – but here there is litter, flooding and more. Stretford used to be really nice, but now the general living conditions that people in this area have to put up with are no longer taken care of. We pay our taxes, but what are we paying them for?” says Shirley.

The long-term resident has “always” voted Tory, but after losing hope in all parties ahead of the general election, she is questioning whether to vote at all.

“I’ve always been a Conservative voter, but honestly this year I don’t think I’ll vote because I don’t trust either party,” she said.

Shirley added: “None of them seem like good, decent people. There are more sensible and decent people around this table than in Parliament.

“I think a lot of them now are bombshells that come out with promises, but when it comes to not delivering … it’s disappointing.”

We are running a mass nationwide video-led vox pop approach called ‘5000 Voices’ to cover the upcoming 2024 General Election.

MEN reporters are now traveling around the region to survey local opinion on the issues of the day.

From boroughs to wards across Greater Manchester, we won’t be asking how people will vote, but their views on the issues that will determine how they vote.

You can watch the full media answers and questions above.

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