Voters in Tamworth, a constituency Labour needs to win at the next election, have expressed anger over the Government's pension policy. The town, home to a statue of Sir Robert Peel, has been a bellwether seat since 1983, always won by the party victorious in general elections. Labour MP Sarah Edwards holds the seat with a majority of 1,382.
Pensioners speak out
Roland Slaney, 71, a former miner and mechanics electrician, said of the Government: "They say one thing and do the other thing. Labour has done us no favours." He added that everything is "extortionate" and "You're paying more and get less." Mr Slaney, who has a miner's pension that takes him above the income tax personal allowance threshold of £12,500, has unsuccessfully tried to get pension credit.
Another local, who wished only to be referred to as Wendy, 74, said: "Why take it out on the pensioners? He's a load of rubbish. Why is he taking it out on the pensioners, why can't we get our rise? The £12,500 threshold, that should go higher. We rely on [the triple lock] to go up with inflation. At the end of the day, we've got nothing." When asked if the move will come back to bite him at the next election, she warned: "It will do. They've been punished that much."
Concerns over immigration and Budget
Immigration was also a recurring concern. Mr Slaney said: "There's too many foreigners coming in. They put nothing in and they're taking everything out." Wendy added: "They're over here and they get free accommodation, free heating, free phones."
Clive Small, 80, a retired garage proprietor, said Mr Burnham's fortunes depend on whether he can pull the "rabbit out of the hat" with the Budget. "I want him to have an election, and that will tell all, I think," he said. "Where's he doing to get all the money from to do all these things? At the moment he's all talk. I think he should have stopped in Manchester as the Mayor, full stop."
Mixed views on Labour's prospects
Long-term partner Carol Onion, 71, said: "I don't think he's brainy enough." She added that Rachel Reeves's National Living Wage and employer National Insurance increases have "finished everybody, really". Michael Clements, 39, who has run a food stall in the high street for 16 years, thinks Labour will lose as they "tell loads of lies". Celina Marshall, 44, a grade four chef, said: "Labour needs to do one. The reason I don't vote for Labour is they always sting the people who work hard and old age pensioners."
Ruth Morton, 57, whose brother owns Tamworth's Toolbox, said: "It's always been a Labour town, Tamworth." She thinks the chances of the party reclaiming the area are "50/50". Albert Peel, 84, who believes he is related to the 19th century statesman, said Mr Burnham is "not very good" and plans to vote for Kemi Badenoch's Tories. However, Glen Nicholson, 64, a retired engineer, said there is "no alternative to Burnham at the minute" and believes Labour will still get in.
