The Conservatives fought off the Ukip challenge to win the Sleaford and North Hykeham byelection.
As the third British byelection since the EU referendum, the lead-up to the Sleaford and North Hykeham vote has been dominated by talk of Brexit - and understandably so, given this vote was triggered by Conservative MP Stephen Phillips’s resignation over Theresa May’s handling of the process.
We asked our readers living within the constituency what was dominating their thoughts as they prepared to vote. We heard from people across the political spectrum: Ukip voters who felt the Tories were dithering over delivering Brexit, Tory voters sharing Phillips’ frustrations with May, and Labour voters wondering whether to vote Lib Dem in protest at Corbyn’s lack of opposition over the issue.
Below, we hear from seven of them.
‘I understand the frustration of local people’
Labour didn’t stand a chance in this constituency and I wanted to keep the further right candidates out. My husband and I both voted for Stephen Phillips in the last election for this reason. Neither of us are natural Conservative voters, but we felt this was the best use of our vote.
This area has many low paid jobs in the agricultural sector. There is a clear feeling that access to labour from other EU countries has allowed local employers to keep wages down, which of course impacts on wage opportunity for local people too. I understand this frustration. In the immediate area I don’t see many signs of immigration impacting on schools and local services, although I think some areas of Lincs have had higher rates of immigration which has impacted, and this has raised some tensions.
Anonymous, 43, Sleaford
‘The byelection coverage has been simplistic’
The national and local press coverage of this byelection has been a simplistic caricature of the Brexit divisions which have split this country. This is not a ‘Sunderland’ or non-metropolitan disenfranchised area. It is the least deprived district in Lincolnshire, in the top 20% least deprived nationally; has below average levels of international immigration. It has very high levels of UK inward migration (5.6% in latest year compared to national average of 4.8% and a minimal 0.02% net international immigration) coupled with high levels of outmigration of educated young who go off to university and are unlikely to return. The over-60s population approaches 30% compared to a national average of 23%.
North Kesteven has been failed by national and county elites over many generations . They have failed to offer a distinctive, progressive vision of a positive future for this type of area. So the ‘oldies’ slip into a complacent Lincolnshire mindset of ‘blaming’ their occasional struggles on foreigners and outsiders. Egged on by national populist media and cynical local politicians, they are more comfortable voting for a brand of intolerance and xenophobia than putting in the effort to transform the area through civic and community action.
This leaves those who voted Remain in despair and unrepresented in the current byelection, apart from a Lib Dem candidate who was at least local.
Anonymous, North Kesteven
‘The Brexit uncertainty is extremely upsetting’
Previously a Conservative voter, I have become very disillusioned with the way the party is handling the EU referendum result. I voted to remain in the EU and although have fully accepted the result I am appalled at the determination of Theresa May to bulldoze the country into a ‘hard Brexit’. The Lib Dems appear to be the only party speaking any sense at the moment regarding the Brexit issue so they got my vote.
I am married to a German national and have spent many years living in both Germany and the UK. We have spent the last twenty years here in the UK where my husband has been working, paying taxes and national insurance. It is devastating to me how the government has refused to guarantee the status of all EU nationals living here. This uncertainty is extremely upsetting for us and other European families we know. The referendum has given licence to racist and xenophobic individuals to inflict abuse on good law-abiding residents of this country, and the current government is doing and saying nothing.
Helen Kluge, 54, Sleaford
‘I may vote for a party I swore I never would vote for again’
I am a Labour Party member, but also a passionate Remainer in the Brexit debate. Although the Labour candidate voted remain he has publicly stated he won’t oppose article 50 being triggered. The only pro-Europe candidate is from the Lib Dems.
I swore I would neither trust nor vote for them again after the coalition - but is Europe bigger than that? Yes, I believe it is. I find it amazing that I may vote against my party for a party I swore I never would vote for again. We are living in crazy times.
Becky Graveling, 41, Heckington
‘I don’t think Sleaford & North Hykeham has a liberal elite’
The Conservatives’ policies have slowed down the economic recovery and made the country a meaner place. The NHS is really struggling and looking to get worse and the effects of Gove’s education experiment are starting to come through affecting both my daughters education and a number of local schools. Plus the self-inflicted mess that is Brexit.
UKIP do not in any way reflect my views. Of the two independents one is a single issue candidate (the downgrading of Grantham hospital) and the other is Tory-lite. I don’t think either have much chance of victory. This leaves either Labour and the Lib Dems. Neither fills me with great joy.
I don’t think Sleaford & North Hykeham has a liberal elite but amongst my friends the vast majority voted to remain. Since the vote I have seen nothing to change my choice and the Brexiters have gone very quiet. I am disappointed with Labour’s stance on Brexit, which makes me seriously consider a Lib Dem vote as they are taking a definite stance on the issue.
But with no polling data to go on I would probably go for Labour as they have the best chance (slim though it may be) to cause an upset.
Anonymous, 51, Bassingham
‘The government must get on with leaving the EU’
There are too many immigrants. UKIP will bring back the death penalty and we can get rid of the criminals in our community and end political correctness.
The government must get on with leaving the EU more quickly. I want to live long enough to see Britain free of mass immigration and returned to greatness.
Dorris Dearford, 70, Sleaford
‘I’m one of the few Remainers in the area’
If this were Richmond, I would be voting tactically for the Lib Dems. It’s a staunchly Tory seat, here, too. But there ends the similarity. I’m one of the few Remainers in this area. Locally, many want Brexit at double speed, and are angered at the lack of a plan. So, a few disillusioned Tory voters will probably gravitate - but sadly to UKIP, not the Lib Dems.
Faced with this, I may as well vote according to my conscience and beliefs. I voted for Labour, despite that they now fully support Brexit, which I think is a catastrophe for this country. Only the Lib Dems want to reverse Brexit, but here it makes no difference. There are too few Remainers. Equally, I could never feel trust in their party, having seen their pitiful performance in a coalition.
Anonymous, 60, Witham St Hugh’s
