I spent the day in Leicester East ahead of the general election and it is definitely a battleground

With the election just days away and polls predicting Sir Keir Starmer to be elected in a landslide, you wouldn’t think a constituency that has elected a Labor candidate at every election since 1987 would be described as a battleground .

But that’s exactly how Leicester East feels, with the current MP and a former MP going toe-to-toe with Labour, the Tories and a host of popular independents. As part of our 5000 Voices project with other titles across the country, we traveled to constituencies across the East Midlands to find out which issues matter most.

And in the constituency home to Keith Vaz, the former Labor minister, and Claudia Webbe, the latest MP to be kicked out of the Labor Party after being convicted of harassment, many people had strong opinions.

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On arrival, it was clear that the constituency was a battleground. In Melton Road, there are posters in almost every shop window supporting different candidates. There are even billboard-sized posters promoting the candidates. Supporters of each candidate genuinely believe they could win.

We first asked voters to describe Rishi Sunak. For the most part, the prime minister has attracted support.

Ruksar Shaikh, 25, is a student at the University of Leicester. She said she was proud of Rishi Sunak for his achievements. However, she feels restricted by the new rules for international students.

Jafpal Bawa, 75, is retired. He shared his admiration for the Prime Minister. However, he thought his time was up.

He said, “Rishi Sunak is doing well, you know. But some of his policies are not good. I think there should be a change now. It (has) been a long time and another side should come in and do better.”

We then asked voters to describe Sir Keir Starmer. For some, the Labor leader was unknown to them. However, from those who know who he is, there has been a mixed response.

Anel Bakhter, 53, said: “It’s fine. He is a socialist. He’ll do it for working people, not rich people.” Jill Warner, 75, was a little more suspicious. She is not convinced he will keep his promises, describing him as the same as the Prime Minister.”

She said: “He is the same. Same thing. Again, he’s going to say and do what he’s going to do, but if he’s going to do them, that’s a whole different story.”

Next, we asked voters what issues are most important to them in this election. For many, there are concerns about the NHS, housing and immigration.

Ms Warner said: “The boat people more than anything. And pensioners, because everyone seems to have forgotten that pensioners exist to be fair.”

Ruksar Shaikh, 25, says overcrowding is becoming a problem for public services and jobs. She said: “There are so many people who have already come here now. So it’s very crowded and that’s why it’s very hard to get good jobs and opportunities here.”

Jafpal Bawa, 75, shared his experience of trying to get a house from Leicester City Council. He believes the housing crisis is one of the biggest problems facing the country.

He said: “I am not getting a house. I applied for housing in Leicester council, you know, and they won’t give me a home. There is a housing shortage everywhere you know. That is the main problem.”

Finally, we are asking voters how the next government can improve our education system. Most people shared the belief that there is more to do.

Hasmukh Vyas, 64, is a pharmacist. He believes that the basic subjects have been left behind. He said: “I think we need to invest more in teaching, we need more maths, physics and chemistry teachers.”

Anel Bakhter, 53, said: “More teachers. There is a shortage of teachers. And a lack of qualified teachers.”

The general election takes place on Thursday 4 July, with polling stations open between 7am and 10pm. A total of ten candidates are running for election. Are:

Independent

Malihah Adam

Independent

Nagarjun Agath

The work

Rajesh Agrawal

liberal democrats

Zuffar Haq

Green party

Mags Lewis

Independent

Khandu Patel

conservative

Shivani Raja

Reform Britain

Raj Solanki

A Leicester

Keith Vaz

Independent

Claudia Webbe

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