Trust and homelessness are key themes for voters

BBC South's red sofa visited Bournemouth beach

Ahead of the upcoming general election on 4 July, BBC South is taking its red sofa out and about to key constituencies across the region to hear what matters most to voters.

The thoughts and concerns voiced by the public will then be put to the candidates standing in that seat.

In the 2019 election, the Bournemouth East seat was held by Conservative Tobias Ellwood with a majority of 8,806 over Labour.

In the constituency, local residents told us the town needed more help to tackle rough sleeping and that they do not trust or believe pledges from politicians.

'What are you doing about homelessness?'

Andrew Talbot runs a local homeless charity

Andrew Talbot, who runs local homeless charity We Are Humans, said: "We've got people sleeping rough on our streets, under our piers in tents and on park benches, ex-military veterans sleeping in shop doorways.

"What's going to get my vote is, what are you doing about homelessness? What are you doing about building houses for families, communities?"

'Ethics and morals'

Tony Spotswood is a former chief executive of Royal Bournemouth Hospital

Tony Spotswood, former chief executive of Royal Bournemouth Hospital, said: "I think the big issues are around, firstly, cost of living and affordability for young people, for families and older people.

"Also about the ethics and morals of telling the truth. The last few years have been a disappointment for many people."

'I don't know who to vote for'

Steve is an undecided voter

Steve said: "The big problem I have now is, for the first time in my life, I don't know who to vote for any more.

"I won't believe them - that's the problem."

'Government I can trust'

Trust is the main issue exercising Denise heading into this election

Denise said: "I would like a government I can trust. Hopefully by listening to all the candidates I might be able to find somebody I can trust enough to vote for."

What do the Conservatives say?

Conservative Tobias Ellwood held the seat in 2019

On housing, Tobias Ellwood, Conservative, said: "Housing is a big issue. BCP council - when you infill some of the places particularly here in Boscombe, you actually create antisocial behaviour.

"The HMOs that we had in the past, we really should be getting rid of those now.

"We need a grander plan. You can’t just build on car parks which is, I’m afraid, the current policy of the council.”

On the issue of trust in politics, he said: "I'll put my hand up and say it's been a turbulent period, the last few years.

"No doubt about it - the end of Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and so forth.

"Understandably, people have been shocked, demoralised and disappointed by where things have gone.

"All the stuff with bets... it needs to be dealt with robustly."

What do Labour say?

Labour's candidate is Tom Hayes

On housing, Tom Hayes, Labour, said: “I run a homelessness service, so for me it’s about three things.

"It’s about first of all getting somebody off the street and into safety.

"Second, when they are in that safe space then they can recover however they need, and then thirdly, it’s about making sure that they can go into a new home but don’t just get keys to that new home, but they continue to be supported.

"I could work with support agencies here, make sure a Labour government invests in the support agencies here, and make sure that nobody has to sleep rough”.

On the issue of trust in politics, he said: "I think people are putting Partygate alongside the betting scandal, alongside everything that's gone before for many, many years and they want the circus to move on.

"They want sober, responsible government again that will just get us out of the hole that we're in."

What do the Liberal Democrats say?

The Lib Dems' John Martin Nicholas is concerned about the election system

On housing, John Martin Nicholas, Lib Dem, said: "I’ve lived here a very long time and I’ve seen homelessness increase. I’ve also seen the development of quite expensive flats increase and the ratio of social housing decrease.

"So clearly we need some important measures to encourage developers - if there’s land lying empty for a long time, force them to develop quicker.

"But I also think some creativity needs to be put into the process in terms of using buildings that are pre-existing, repurposing them when businesses and other enterprises need them”.

On the issue of trust in politics he said: "I think part of this comes about as a result of our election system.

"We give a huge majority to 40% of the vote, which means certain parties and individuals within them feel they have got total licence.

"I know people reflect on the [2010 Conservative - Lib Dem] coalition badly but the good thing about coalitions is that it's an honest representation on how people vote and also you've got other entities looking over the shoulder of the other parties and that, I believe, keeps us all in check."

What do Reform say?

Reform's Martin Houlden wants to see more temporary accommodation for the homeless

On housing, Martin Houlden of Reform, said: "You look around, particularly Bournemouth town centre and see the number of people who are living homeless.

"The immigration centres, the asylum centres - a lot of places have taken over hotel accommodation or accommodation that could be used for temporary accommodation for people who are homeless.

"There is a physical limit to the number of homes there are in the constituency."

On trust in politics, he said: "Westminster politicians, none of them are leaders - they take their direction from supranational organisations like the World Economic Forum, big banks and corporations.

"What people should do is look for the leader, who is annoying and upsetting those people more than any other leader, and that is Nigel Farage."

What does the Green Party say?

Green party candidate Joe Salmon says that there is a real feeling "integrity is missing in politics"

Joe Salmon, the Green party candidate, said: "A lot of the problems we face, like homelessness, these are all political choices. There was a conscious decision we would set up our economy in this way. The number of food banks has rocketed and that was a political choice.

"I think people recognise they can't trust the current crop of politicians to make the right decisions all the time. There's a real feeling that integrity is missing in politics nowadays."

What do the SDP say?

Miles Penn, the SDP candidate, said: "The housing crisis is something that affects me directly so I’m well aware of the issues Bournemouth faces.

"My aims are simple - replace the council housing stock that has been depleted for decades. Creating affordable homes for first-time buyers and renters alike and work with the council to turn the numerous unused retail spaces in the town centre into flats."

Responding to comments about why people struggle to trust politicians, Mr Penn said: "They’ve been lied to repeatedly - we’ve had 14 years of Tory government promising things that they’ve either failed to deliver or had no intention of delivering on in the first place.

"It’s culture that has to change, and I’ll do it."

What does the independent candidate say?

Kieron Wilson, Independent, said: "Faith and trust in our political systems and our politicians is at an all time low in this country.

"One of the reasons I'm standing as a self-funded independent is so I work for the community and community alone and not for a major political party telling me how to think.

"I want to represent Bournemouth - the place I've lived my whole life - and I want to try and restore some of the faith people have lost in politics."