'I was born and bred here... I've never known the place be as big of a dump as it is'
When Nic Gorton received the keys to her first home, it was a moment of pride. The single mum finally had her foot on the housing ladder and was optimistic about the future."I thought being a homeowner should make you better off, but it's gone terribly," said Ms Gorton, a hairdresser. "Everything is more expensive, so even though I'm earning alright money, I'm no better off. I shouldn't be struggling but I am."She's far from the only one.
Ms Gorton explains that her 12-year-old daughter has been on NHS waiting list for an ear operation for four years. "In the time she has waited, she has gone deaf," she explained. "That could could affect her life choices, it's not fair. The one exception came in 2017 when Labour's James Frith won the seat. The Tories regained it just two years later as the party secured a huge majority across the country following Boris Johnson's decision to call a snap general election.
"He seems to be the only person who has done anything for this town," says Karen Bruce, 60, taking a break from serving customers at Cup 'O' Rosie on The Rock. "He has done well for Bury, but he is fighting a losing battle," Mr Watkins explained. "I'd love to vote for him because he has been a good MP, but his party is finished."
"He talks a lot of common sense," said Mr Yates. "I'm only voting because I have a democratic right. These people who don't vote, why have that attitude?Bury North’s reputation for swinging with the political winds means it is typically a key battleground for both Labour and the Conservatives at a general election.
Mr Ali says he also wants to see increased investment in housing and jobs, as well as support for small businesses. "I don't really like any of them," he said. "I don't really want the Tories in again, they are just forgetting about the north. In the past, the leafy suburbs to the north of Bury have been safe territory for the Conservatives. But even that appears to have changed amid growing dissatisfaction with Rishi Sunak's party.
"Rishi means well but he has been a total disaster. Keir Starmer is an unknown quantity but hopefully he will be strong. My concern is Labour get a massive majority and there is no opposition."
Tottington Ramsbottom Politics
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