The General Election and … an Unemployed First-Time Voter

The GE & ME Voter Profile

The General Election and … an Unemployed First-Time Voter

For this voter profile we asked an unemployed, first-time voter to outline his general election 2015 voting intentions.

We found out that “Mr B” will be giving his vote to the candidate that he trusts will do everything possible to improve the day-to-day life of the working class.

See the transcript of our interview with Mr B below to find out more about his general election plans, including why he thinks that Wales is failing under a Welsh Labour Government and why he believes that the UK should stay in the European Union.

Interview Transcript

Q: Have you decided what party you will vote for in May’s general election?

A: No

Q: What would persuade you to vote for a party?

A: Honesty, I would have to be able to believe that they know what it is like to live as a working class person. It would be a party who have policies mainly aimed at working class people.

Q: Which party are you least likely to vote for and why?

A: One of the main three parties (Conservatives, Labour, or Lib Dems) because I feel like I cannot trust any of these parties to deliver on their word.

Q: Do you think the current Welsh Labour Government have successfully governed Wales?

A: No

Q: Why do you think that the Welsh Labour Government have not successfully governed Wales?

A: I do not feel like Wales is doing well due to unemployment and what I feel amounts to corruption. I think that, as a country, we are not making progress or producing anything of worth.

Q: Do you think that the Tory/Lib Dem coalition government have successfully governed the UK?

A: No

Q: Why do you think that the Tory/Lib Dem coalition government have not successfully governed the UK?

A: My answer is the same as for the Welsh Labour Government question, equally I do not feel like this country is doing well, due to unemployment, what I feel is corruption and that as a country we are not making progress or producing anything of worth. So, no I don’t think the Tory/Lib Dem Coalition have been successful either.

Q: Do you think that the UK should remain part of Europe?

A: Yes

Q: Why do you think that the UK should stay in Europe?

A: I believe it is a step to making this continent and world a better place through unity

Q: Do you think that Wales should be fully devolved from the UK?

A: I am not sure what would be best and so I don’t want to give an opinion on this.

Q: Which two of the following policy topics mean the most to you and would persuade you to vote for a party?

(i) The NHS;

(ii) Economy;

(iii) Immigration;

(iv) Education; or

(v) Welfare

A: The NHS and welfare.

Q: Regardless of the party itself, which party leader do you believe to be the most capable Prime Minister and why?

A: Uncertain.

Q: Would you choose to vote/not vote for a party if you liked/disliked their leader?

A: Yes.