GENERAL ELECTION: Is Mid-Worcestershire still a 'safe' Tory seat?

They say voters have been suffering from election fatigue, but for some of the candidates it is the second time in three years they have faced the public verdict.

Mid-Worcestershire is widely considered a 'safe' Tory seat ever since it was drawn up under the current parliamentary boundaries in 1997.

It was held by Sir Peter Luff until his retirement in 2015, with incumbent Nigel Huddleston currently sitting on a majority of 20,532.

But this battle will offer a genuine indication into the health of several parties, including UKIP, which came second here in 2015.

At the time it defied expectations and benefitted from an 11 per cent swing to get 9,231 votes in a poor outcome for Labour, which was pushed into third.

The question here is, has UKIP held onto that support and if not, will any decline further strengthen the Tory grip on this seat.

But the Liberal Democrats will also be looking for positive signs of progress here, with Councillor Margaret Rowley giving it another go.

Two years ago her vote collapsed by 16 per cent, leaving the Lib Dems in fourth place.

Mid-Worcestershire is the most rural constituency in Worcestershire but does not come without its challenges, as all the candidates will testify.

The future of Droitwich's main shopping area, poverty in parts of Evesham and how to make sure Broadway stays a popular tourist destination after Brexit are just three of the big challenges.

Then there are even bigger issues like the county's unfair school funding plight, which has struck a real chord here among headteachers.

It takes an hour to drive from one end of this constituency to the other, with its sprawling geography ensuring all its parliamentary candidates really have to put the groundwork in.

David Greenwood (UKIP)

David Greenwood has lived in the Mid Worcestershire constituency for 60 years.

I have been involved with various businesses the last been plastic extrusion, which I sold seven years ago. I could be said that I have a wide range of business experience.

Why now and why UKIP?

It is the only party that said what a lot of people think and are open about, they also believe in local democracy and the democratic values.

UKIP are undergoing massive change, the have won the exit from the EU, now they must be the 'policemen' to ensure that it is not watered down.

We must now address the health estate, education and the security of our country.

I believe that an MP should be local to understand local issues not brought in from Kent as Mr Huddleston did.

This is not a job, it is a calling to help and represent the people of Mid-Worcestershire.

Fred Grindrod (Labour)

Only a Labour Government will truly deliver for Britain.

I am standing in this election because I know that only Labour has the policies and commitment to build a fairer country, defend the NHS and ensure that working people have decent, secure jobs.

I believe the election campaign so far has made it clear that the choice for voters is a disastrous economic future under Theresa May’s Conservatives or a better, fairer country under Labour which works for the many not the few.

Theresa May’s disastrous policy u-turn on social care demonstrated that the Conservatives are not really interested in delivering solutions that work for working people, but are more concerned with pushing their own hard-Brexit agenda.

As your MP I will fight for Mid-Worcestershire and it’s communities – focusing on fighting for our public services, challenging the very real poverty that exists in our area and doing what I can to build a fairer society in Evesham, Droitwich and the surrounding villages.

Nigel Huddleston (Conservative)

It has been an honour to serve you over the last two years.

I endeavoured to be an approachable and responsive MP and have enjoyed visiting businesses, schools and charities right across the constituency.

I have assisted hundreds of constituents who came to me for help and I’ve helped shape laws - particularly covering issues such as online child protection and broadband and mobile services.

I have held Government ministers and company bosses to account in the House of Commons and in select committees - and I have promoted Worcestershire as a great place to live, work and visit at every opportunity.

If re-elected, I will: support further improvements to local communications services; lobby for better funding for local schools, health services and roads; seek a fair Brexit deal; and continue to promote policies that protect the most vulnerable and provide opportunities for all.

I respectfully ask for your vote.

Margaret Rowley (Lib Dem)

I offer residents of Mid-Worcestershire a real alternative and a vision of a Britain that is open, tolerant and united.

The majority of people in Mid-Worcestershire voted to leave the EU, but many did not vote for the extreme form of Brexit that Theresa May is imposing on us after being backed by Labour.

A hard Brexit would make us all poorer for many years to come.

I want you to have a choice over your future. If you don’t like the final deal, you should be able to reject it in a referendum.

I will aim to secure fairer funding for our schools, the NHS and social care services while introducing fairer taxes and maintaining the pension triple lock and limiting care costs for the elderly.

I will also act to support the environment by fighting climate change, reducing flooding and protecting our countryside and green spaces.

Fay Whitfield (Green Party)

Fay Whitfield , an Evesham based Marketing Account Manager, hopes to raise awareness of Green Party policies to give a voice to local people disenfranchised with politics.

Fay is an Evesham resident, who has been a strong supporter of Green Party policies and values from a young age and is on a mission to spread the green message and stand up for ordinary people.

At this General Election, Fay is fighting for basic rights and services which have become more scarce under recent leadership.

These include a functioning NHS for the public, school funding and free education, affordable public transport and democracy.

These services and rights are sliding down a slippery slope, but Fay is fighting to change that.

The NHS in Worcestershire has been hit hard - we have observed a shortage of hospital beds, significantly increased waiting times and casualties due to a lack of organisation, funding and overworked staff.