GENERAL ELECTION: All eyes on 'bellwether' Worcester as polling day nears

Both Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn will know that to win a General Election, means winning here.

'Worcester Woman' - that famous 1990s political metaphor of a working class mother in her 30s worried about the cost of living - may have grown up a bit, but this is still one heck of a political battlefield.

But what makes this contest different to two years ago is the size of the majority Conservative Robin Walker is sitting on now compared to 2015.

Two years ago he went into the last General Election with a majority of just 2,982, knowing a swing of just over three per cent would have seen Labour re-capture the seat.

But after his share of the vote increased almost six per cent he ended up retaining it with a hefty margin of 5,646, putting him in a commanding position.

This time round all sorts of factors are at play but Labour's task is the same - win in Worcester and Jeremy Corbyn can start eyeing up victory.

Mr Corbyn visited Worcester himself during the election campaign, using his visit to announce a manifesto policy over free hospital parking across England in a sign of how serious they are taking the constituency.

The Conservatives hit back by getting health minister Philip Dunne down, who pledged a multi-million pound investment for the county's two main hospitals, with the NHS taking centre stage during the campaign.

But one other factor is the large number of candidates having a crack at the Worcester seat this time round.

As well the Greens, Lib Dems and UKIP there are two independents on the ballot paper, giving voters a choice of seven hopefuls.

Four of the candidates stood in 2015, giving Mr Walker familiar rivals in Labour Councillor Joy Squires, Green Councillor Louis Stephen and Mark Shuker, who is standing for a movement called 'Compass'.

It was 1974 the last time a political party won the Worcester seat in any General Election, but was unable to form a government.

That tells you everything you need to know about the importance of this seat.

Paul Hickling (UKIP)

Charity begins at home.

I will fight to get a share of Britain’s wasted overseas foreign aid bill returned to the people of Worcester.

You need investment in your schools, your hospitals, your roads, your child and social care. After all, it’s your money.

It’s time to put British families first. We want to invest in your community.

Affordable housing schemes for local residents and attracting businesses to come to Worcester to provide the jobs of the future for your children.

Completing the Southern and Northern link roads and raising money locally for local community based projects

Vote UKIP and get your community back.

Stephen Kearney (Lib Dem)

My life was formed by experiences in Worcester.

I care deeply about people, places that feed and inspire, the country we live in, the planet we share.

I listen deeply to people about what matters, to find enterprising solutions that work for all.

I value others’ experience, expertise and perspective, but will lead and take responsibility.

I’m not afraid to name behaviour or challenge policy that damages communities and lives - because everyone has a right to live freely, safely, with dignity.

Being MP is an awesome responsibility to lead and serve.

As a leader, a liberal and a democrat I would be accountable to all of Worcester’s people by batting and battling for Worcester because I love life, have lots to give, and want people to have hope in the future, working to champion those struggling to be heard, and transforming the way politics is done.

Alex Rugg (Independent)

Alex has been a resident of Worcester for 36 years.

He looks forward to helping the city grow as the best place to live, study, work, do business, manufacture and visit.

Supports a Private Members Bill reducing the age terminations are carried out from 24 to 20 weeks and provide free independent counselling. 

He is for protecting the unborn, elderly and vulnerable, maintaining our nuclear deterrent, more NHS trained staff, compulsory bicycle lights, more policing of the internet, free childcare, controlled immigration, psychiatric research and care. 

He is also for redeveloped brownfield sites, protecting pensions, EU and UK residential rights, developing international free trade agreement and flexible taxation for manufacturing.

Mark Shuker (Compass Party)

MY interests are not in private business or investors in the public sector, other than fresh job creation.

I would argue tooth and nail for a fair costing of public transport and road infrastructure being value for the taxes we pay.

Help me be a voice of common sense in London.

Being locked into five years of a Government is a scary prospect, war, tax increases, an end to support.

Another level of big brother could be on the House of Lords horizon.

I want to be in this fight, not for profits, but on putting Worcester residents first.

You have the power to help me speak up for decency and fairness.

Joy Squires (Labour)

In thirty years of living in Worcester, I have never known a time when our schools were facing such severe budget cuts, our NHS was in such crisis and local families were under such pressure to make ends meet.

And now our pensioners are under attack from the Tories, with pension guarantees abandoned, means testing being introduced and every homeowner having to pay for care at home no matter how little money they have.

It’s time to put that right.

Worcester needs an MP who will speak up for local people, not one who supports and votes through every cut that makes life worse for so many.

As your Labour MP, I will vote to give the NHS the money it needs; to protect our pensioners with the Triple Lock on pensions; to fund our schools properly; give every primary school child a free school lunch so that they can learn well; and introduce a real Living Wage of £10 an hour.

A vote for me is a vote for a better, fairer Worcester.

Louis Stephen (Green)

The Green Party has big, bold ideas to create a confident and caring Britain that we can all be proud of.

We aren’t afraid to hope for a better future or to be honest about how we get there.

We believe in being brave, in speaking our minds, and in standing up for what matters. We are proud to do politics differently.

We will campaign for your right to vote on the final terms of the Brexit deal, including an option to stay in the EU.

We will push for genuinely affordable, warm homes for everyone and a public health system free for all.

We will fight for equality, and for a society where nobody is left behind.

We will always act strongly on climate change and to protect the natural world we love.

We will stand up for what matters. This is our Green Guarantee to you.

Robin Walker (Conservative)

Over the last seven years Worcester has succeeded with more jobs, apprenticeships, growing businesses paying people more, pensions rising and crucial investments in our schools and NHS.

This progress must continue.

Unemployment is down 60% since 2010, I want even more young people given a chance.

More children are in good and outstanding schools,  we now need more childcare, fairer funding to build on the £15 million already promised and new schools to meet the demand for places.

Our NHS treats more people than ever, I'll support expansion of the A&E and a new medical school for Worcester.

Having secured investment in the Southern Link, I will finish the job of dualling the Carrington bridge to reduce Worcester traffic.

We need a strong, secure UK for which we need the best deal from Brexit and investment in defence and security.

I will work hard to make sure Worcester continues to thrive in the years to come.