Westminster wannabe’s have made a final plea to Observer readers ahead of the General Election.
Maria Miller (Cons), Funda Pepperell (Lab), John Shaw (Lib Dem), Stella Howell (UKIP) and independent Steve Saul are all vying for the Basingstoke seat and have spent the last month campaigning hard for your vote.
In 2006, Maria Miller swept to victory with 38.8% of the vote, pipping Labour to the post with 32.6% while the Lib Dems had 21.9%. Tomorrow's General Election is expected to be the closest in a generation and every vote counts, the candidates claim.
Maria told the Observer: “This has been a positive Conservative campaign about the future of Britain and Basingstoke and I have been campaigning hard to set out my clear manifesto for the town. What we need is a decisive result to give this country the best direction for the future.”
Stella Howell, of UKIP, says her party will invest heavily on domestic issues She commented: “I take this opportunity to thank all supporters who have expressed their confidence in UKIP bringing back control to Great Britain. The £45million per day which we will not pay to the EU will be invested in all areas to ensure welfare, prosperity, freedom for each and every sector.”
Meanwhile Funda Pepperell, who was forced to sit out part of last month after being admitted to hospital, spoke of her pride at contesting the constituency. She said: “I have been unlucky because of my health, which I am so upset about, but these things happen.
“At least I can say I had a long campaign - two-and-a-half-years - so I have had the privilege of meeting people in Basingstoke who told me what they really care about. I personally believe no matter what happens I am honoured to be Basingstoke candidate.”
John Shaw believes the race to parliament is a two horse race, commenting: “It has been a great election campaign; things have gone really well for us and it is very much a two horse race between ourselves and the Conservatives. It is an opportunity for people to vote for genuine change in this election.”
Independent Steve Saul promised honesty, integrity and decency while representing the ‘Basingstoke Common Man.
Today, May 6, also marks the local elections with a third of the seats on Basingstoke and Deane borough council, with 20 seats – a third of the council – up for grabs.
There are 85 polling stations for the borough elections and 66 polling stations for the Basingstoke Constituency parliamentary elections. Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm and to find your nearest, contact Basingstoke council on 01256 844844.
Read all the fallout from the General Election in next week’s Observer and online at www.basingstokeobserver.co.uk
