basildon residents told the Local Democracy Reporting Service this week that they saw little point in voting in the local elections on Thursday, May 7. Christine Tilley said she had not voted for many years and did not know enough about the election to take part.
More than 30 residents were spoken to in Basildon Town Centre, and many said they did not know who to vote for. The election will decide 14 seats on Basildon Borough Council and eight seats representing Basildon on Essex County Council.
Christine Tilley in Basildon Town Centre
Tilley said, "I don’t know enough about it to vote, and I haven’t voted for many years." She added, "I am not clued up on politics, but am trying to understand it more."
Her comments matched a wider pattern among the residents approached in the town centre, where voters raised council housing, potholes, pavements and communication from elected representatives. Basildon Borough Council and Essex County Council manage most day-to-day services, including bin collections, adult and children's social care, education and local roads.
Basildon Borough Council seats
Basildon’s local council has been run by a coalition of Labour and Independent councillors, while Essex County Council is run by the Conservative Party. Polls will open from 7am until 10pm, with polling stations across the borough.
Nina Boardman said, "Potholes are a big issue, and we need more shops. I am not really big on politics, but I would like the pavements improved, as they are atrocious. Tree roots are tearing up the pavements." Linda Clarke said, "I will not be voting, and don't look into it," and added, "Potholes are really bad in Basildon, though, pretty much everywhere, especially near Ballards Walk. They need fixing."
Essex County Council vote
Audrey Garioch said, "There’s nothing for them to do, housing with the council is also a big issue. MPs and local councillors don’t respond to emails or correspondence from residents." She also said, "With a lot of [politicians], as soon as they get in, you never hear from them. They don’t communicate with the people that live here."
Simone Salter said, "I will vote, but I haven’t really made up my mind. I’ve switched between Labour and Tory over the years." Her position sat between the two other camps in the town centre: those ready to vote, and those who said the election did not seem worth the effort.
