General Election: Housing, NHS and immigration on the minds of Shropshire voters

On the streets of Wellington voters raised a host of issues ahead of polling day, ranging from immigration, to housing and the NHS.

Mark Smith, 64, from Leegomery said he was surprised that Sunak had called a July election.

He said: "It’s a bit earlier than expected.

"The cost of living, the prices need to be stabilised.

"I’m lucky that I haven’t got a mortgage so I haven’t got to worry about that, but I feel sorry for young people who need to purchase houses and get on the ladder. That’s going to be really difficult and I don’t envy younger people.

"I always vote labour."

Meanwhile, 39-year-old Richard Davies, who works in the waste industry, doesn't plan on voting, saying: "I don’t even think it’s going to matter if I vote, Labour is going to get in anyway.

"Everybody is going to say ‘I’m going to do this, and do that,' but they will say anything to get in."

In April, it was announced that disabled people could see a major change to how personal independence payments (PIP) work, which could see one-off grants offered instead of regular cash payments.

Debbie Weaver from Wellington has Multiple sclerosis (MS), and is concerned by the plan – for her it is a major issue at the ballot box.

She said: "They're going to cut the disability benefits for people that really need it.

"They’re sending money abroad, and you don’t mind sending money to other people who need it, it’s disgusting what Putin has done, but then you look at the wages the MPs get, it’s disgusting.

"They should donate some of their money to the NHS."

Meanwhile, Debbie's mother, Marjorie, is still undecided on which party gets her support.

Asked what's most important to her, she said: "That they tell the truth, not that they’re going to cut this and that, and they don’t do it.

"I’ve been brought up a Labour supporter. I have voted Conservative a few times but I’m getting a bit disillusioned with them."

One of the main concerns on the lips of the people of Wellington was immigration.

85-year-old Malcolm Auscott - who always has a postal vote - believes it's an important issue.

Malcolm said: "Stopping the boats coming from France is the number one for me, and also the NHS.

"At Wellington medical practice, you’re lucky if you get in. They haven’t got enough doctors to see everyone.

"I thought the election would be later on in the year. Now they’ve got inflation down a little bit, I thought he would leave it."

Another resident, and Conservative supporter, who did not want to be named shared Malcolm's thoughts on immigration, saying: "Immigration is massive, they’ve got to stop it all together.

"I’m toying with the idea of not voting, I’ve voted for all of them. Conservative, Labour unfortunately and Liberal Democrats as a protest, generally I would vote Conservative.

"I think Rishi Sunak is a decent man but he just doesn’t stand much chance.

"They’ve made a lot of mistakes. The world is a mess though.

"They’ve failed us, we’re the fourth richest country in the world. My sister is 85-years-old, living on her own, has strived all of her life, but can’t see a doctor. It’s terrible.

"We should have the best of everything. We’re nearly a third world country which is terrible."

The state of the NHS was also a major issue for voters.

Cancer patient, Lisa McGinley said: "I’d definitely prioritise the NHS and dental health because they’ve all gone private.

"It doesn’t matter who gets in, nothing is going to get put right. It’s always been Tories and Labour and I’ve got no time for them."