Promises made in party political manifestos do matter, according to voters in Shrewsbury. But, as Alex James discovered while out and about in the town, manifestos do not always mean votes.

Denise Comes, who works in the NHS, said she always looked for party pledges on the health service.

“If one party was to make some real promises on the NHS and health then it might change my vote,” she said. “It is difficult to understand the entire manifesto and we do rely a lot on the TV and the press to let us know what is going on.”

Shrewsbury’s Jean Jones said that listening to promises was important, but added it wouldn’t change her vote.

She said: “I’ll be voting. I have been listening to the manifesto and trying to pick up different bits of information but it won’t make any difference to the way I vote.

“I already know which way I will be voting.”

But friend Joan Manser disagreed, saying that what was in the manifesto might change her opinion.

She said: “It might change the way I vote. I am still very much a floating voter.”

And Cedric Ayres, from Lilleshall, said he felt the political publications were a vital part of the election campaign.

He said: “I have been looking and trying to pick out bits from the manifestos.

“I think everyone should vote – the manifesto might change my opinion. I have always voted one way before but things could change that.

“A lot of my friends are also like that so it might change a lot of minds.”

But not everyone believes the party documents will have any impact.

Mike Thomas, from Shrewsbury, said: “It won’t make any difference.

“Whatever they say in the manifestos won’t change anything – it’s just difficult to believe what the parties say.”