Wolverhampton: the election battleground

Aerial picture of Wolverhampton's Molineux stadium, showing the stands, cars parked in front and city buildings behind

Molineux may be gold and black, but what colour will the city turn on 4 July?

Emma Thomas
BBC Political Reporter, Black Country
@EmmaJThomas

Wolverhampton's iconic home of football, Molineux, is proudly adorned in gold and black.

The city of Wolverhampton, in contrast, has been represented in political colours by red and blue since the last general election.

Labour entered the 2019 campaign in possession of all three constituencies in the city.

Under Boris Johnson's leadership the Conservatives secured a 2-1 polling day win, taking two of the three of the seats.

Wolverhampton South West and Wolverhampton North East elected new Conservative MPs in Stuart Anderson and Jane Stevenson, while Wolverhampton South East stayed loyal to long-serving Labour MP, Pat McFadden

In this election campaign, Wolverhampton is once again a key battleground.

Boundary changes mean all the seats have altered in shape, with boundaries moved to adjust the number of constituents living in each. Wolverhampton South West has a new name too, of Wolverhampton West.

Could industrial heritage help indicate the decisions voters may make in the polling booths on July 4th?

David Holt, history and politics lecturer at City of Wolverhampton College says it could be a clean sweep for Labour.

"Historically, Wolverhampton is an industrial city. It has been a Labour stronghold in the past. Now we are in a post-industrial landscape it will be a very positive sign for Labour if voters turn back that way and Labour take a stronghold back."

"The opinion polls suggest Labour may retake those seats they lost 5 years ago, or at least one of those. If the party wins all seats in Wolverhampton it could be seen as a national indicator of a very healthy Labour majority."

Carvers Building Supplies is a fifth-generation family-run business which employs 250 people.

The firm's managing director, Henry Carver, is closely watching the election campaign for the manifesto pledges which may impact his business.

"You have to hope they're going to give you stability and not a huge amount of changes or shocks. I'm concerned by both sides, will Labour have enough money with their promises? Will the Conservatives have enough money with their promises of tax cuts?"

Henry Carver hopes for stability, whoever wins the election

Mr Carver estimated that the rise in interest rates had led to a decline in the home building sector of approximately 20%.

"When you make an investment you make an investment for a five-to-ten year return and to employ people. What you don't want is the government changing the rules. What we want now is stability so we can make investment decisions."

The general election has been the subject of conversation among his employees too.

Steve Ayland felt it was hard for voters to make a clear decision.

"I think it's immensely difficult, unless there's an issue to really worry you. It's a very negative campaign, it feels that everybody is against something, instead of for something, so it's really difficult to know where to place your vote."

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