Tiverton and Honiton by-election: Has Axminster been left behind?

Tell us your views on the upcoming Tiverton and Honiton by-election on 23 June via email [email protected]

----------

Nub News took to the streets of Axminster today (Monday 13 June) to ask locals their views on the upcoming by-election.

The by-election for the Tiverton and Honiton constituency is set to take place next Thursday (23 June). It was triggered when Conservative MP Neil Parish resigned after admitting to watching pornography in the House of Commons.

Have parties been out canvassing?

Of the people your correspondent spoke to, almost all had received party election leaflets - but few had received leaflets from parties other than the Tories or Lib Dems.

The Lib Dems also seem to have been the most active knocking on doors, with most saying no-one had visited their address. Just one person had seen a candidate.

Nick, 70, who lives in Axminster, said: "I saw the Lib Dem candidate, Richard Foord, who ran off when I asked him a question. 

"Considering he was in the Marines, he's a wuss. He really is. I'm still undecided, but I won't vote Lib Dem because he was singularly unimpressive. Trouble is, that's the only candidate I've seen."

Voters undecided, unhopeful

Talking to your correspondent, most Axminster residents today appeared politically worn-out.

Michael Barr, 79, who lives in the nearby hamlet of Churchill, said: "If you want the honest truth, the Conservative candidate is going to win. I myself will vote Lib Dem, but the Conservative candidate will win."

Anne, 70, who lives in Axminster, said: "Because of dear Boris, I wouldn't vote Conservative. 

"I don't know who to vote for. I don't want to vote Labour, really, because Mr Starmer's a little bit wishy-washy, but I don't know. I'm stuck. Maybe Lib Dem. 

"Women died to give me the vote, so I have to vote for somebody."

Mira, 46, who lives in Axminster, said: "To be perfectly honest, I can't see anyone who I would want to vote for ... I can't see even one party that will take action in my particular area."

Eight candidates are standing in the upcoming by-election. Click here to find out more.