Fiona, 66, Dumfries: I like the Liberal Democrats’ decent and compassionate ideals
Voted Conservative in the 2015 general election
I no longer feel that Conservative ideals reflect my own values and feel more comfortable with the values and outlook of the Lib Dems. How can the Conservatives justify taking away free school lunches from small children and the triple attack on pensioners? For some children it will be the one decent meal in their day, and not all pensioners are wealthy.
I voted to remain in the EU and do not believe Theresa May’s hard Brexit is democratic – it’s surely autocratic. The Lib Dems appeal to me because they have decent and compassionate ideals and are focused on the kind of UK we are leaving to our children. I have been particularly irritated by May’s arrogant style of campaigning, and the fact that she has been asking people to vote specifically for her. Surely she should be asking people to vote for the Conservative party?
Kieran, 49, Milton Keynes: I will never vote Tory or Labour again
Voted Green in the 2015 general election
I normally vote Conservative but did vote Labour under Tony Blair. I liked David Cameron, but he lied about how green the Tories would be, so I switched to Green last time just as a protest. Due to Brexit and the economic disaster it will bring, I have no choice but for the first time in my life to vote Lib Dem. In fact, I have joined them and will never vote for either the Tories or Labour again – I am finished with their opportunism.
Edith, 25, London: I believed the Tories when I voted for them but haven’t seen much of an improvement
Voted Conservative in the 2015 general election
I was motivated to support the Tories by their policies on increasing house-building, improving the NHS and raising the income tax limit to £12,500. In the two years since the last general election, I have not seen an improvement.
The calling of the snap election was the final nail in the coffin in my resolution that I wouldn’t vote for them any more – this was a cynical, calculated move to “prove” they have the public mandate to continue with a hard Brexit, motivated by the current political climate. I fully support the Lib Dem manifesto and I am hopeful that my constituency will be reclaimed by our old MP, Ed Davey. It is an enduring regret that my vote in 2015 contributed to the loss of his seat in parliament, and is not a mistake I plan to make again.
Martin, 71, Llanelli: I want a second referendum on EU membership
Voted Labour in the 2015 general election
I decided I would vote Lib Dem soon after Jeremy Corbyn was made Labour leader. My decision is partly because I am disgusted with Corbyn, who I feel has put personal ambition before the needs of the party, and partly because I want a second referendum on EU membership. I agree with many of Labour’s new policies but I feel sure Corbyn is not a person the electorate can have confidence in. I would have liked a Labour leader like Dan Jarvis, whose background can appeal to a much wider audience and who could have put up a convincing fight against May – something Corbyn has signally failed to do.
Alan, 26, Eastbourne: I like their honest approach to dealing with the funding crisis in the NHS
Voted Conservative in the 2015 general election
After working in A&E as a junior doctor, seeing the incredibly low morale of staff, and patients having to be treated on a regular basis in corridors and the waiting room, I could never vote Conservative again. The referendum result and the way the party is driving for a hard Brexit, as well as cuts to disability benefits, have also swayed me away from the Conservatives. I no longer feel that the party speaks for the country as a whole.
I’ll be voting Liberal Democrat this time due to the party’s opposition to a hard Brexit, but mainly because their health spokesman Norman Lamb has put forward an honest approach to dealing with the funding crisis in the NHS – with a 1p tax rise. I also think it’s good that he has highlighted the importance of mental health.
Helen, 34, West Yorkshire: Even though the Lib Dems won’t win I know voting for them will be the right choice
Voted Labour in the 2015 general election
I’ve fallen in love with a Lib Dem. The first time we met and he told me he worked for the party, I proudly brandished my Labour membership card. As our relationship developed we jokingly sparred over political differences, but over time and after the Brexit campaign, I felt less and less inclined to argue Labour’s position.
I’m not a fan of Corbyn but I don’t voice this to other Labour supporters because of the vitriol I’d get back, even from friends. This has made me feel more and more alienated from the party. I see how hard my partner and his colleagues work. I also see Labour and Tory candidates getting elected locally when they hardly do anything – it’s the branding that gets them votes.
The constituency I live in is hotly contested by the two main parties; it is currently held by a Conservative candidate but Labour has held it in the past. I probably ought to vote tactically but the Labour manifesto doesn’t feel credible, more like a desperate grab for votes in order to stem the predicted blue tidal wave. I’m going to be voting Lib Dem this time and, even though they won’t win, I’m going to feel happy I made the right choice. Oh, and by the way, I have cancelled my Labour membership now, but I believe I rendered it null and void some months ago by stuffing yellow pamphlets through people’s doors!
