If I was in charge... The view from Scarborough Pier
If I was in charge... The view from Scarborough Pier
With the local elections in England on Thursday, how much attention are people giving to issues in their area? Or are MPs' expenses dominating not only the headlines, but also the way people are thinking and voting? BBC political reporter Rajini Vaidyanathan is testing the temperature in three very different parts of England.
With the local elections in England, how much attention are people giving to issues in their area? Or are MPs' expenses dominating not only the headlines, but also the way people are thinking and voting? BBC political reporter Rajini Vaidyanathan tested the temperature on Scarborough Pier.
RAJINI VAIDYANATHAN I'm Rajini Vaidyanathan and in the run-up to England's local elections on Thursday, I'm travelling south from Scarborough in North Yorkshire to the Isle of Wight to see what's on voters' minds. Join me on the journey... Next stop, Bakewell Cattle Market!
It is the country's oldest seaside resort.
It is the country's oldest seaside resort.
Steeped in history and charm, Scarborough has been attracting visitors to its seafront for more than 350 years.
Steeped in history and charm, Scarborough has been attracting visitors to its seafront for more than 350 years.
On the day we visit, the temperatures are into the high 70s; little wonder that the beach is crowded, the queues for ice-cream are long, and the bare flesh quotient is high.
On the day we visit, the temperatures are into the high 70s; little wonder that the beach is crowded, the queues for ice-cream are long, and the bare flesh quotient is high.
Scarborough is voting in the election for North Yorkshire County Council
Unsurprisingly the weather and the "English heatwave" is a hot topic of conversation but, rather surprisingly, so is something else.
Unsurprisingly the weather and the "English heatwave" is a hot topic of conversation but, rather surprisingly, so is something else.
Politics.
Politics.
For the past few years I've travelled the country ahead of the local elections to talk to people about the issues, and whether they'd vote.
For the past few years I've travelled the country ahead of the local elections to talk to people about the issues, and whether they'd vote.
Scarborough is voting in the election for North Yorkshire County Council
In most cases people didn't know there was an election happening and even if they did, many simply didn't care.
In most cases people didn't know there was an election happening and even if they did, many simply didn't care.
But a few hours on the seafront in Scarborough is all it took to realise that almost everyone had something to say about the state of politics - both local and national.
But a few hours on the seafront in Scarborough is all it took to realise that almost everyone had something to say about the state of politics - both local and national.
Staying away
Staying away
Could an increased awareness in politics be a by-product of the endless revelations about MPs expenses; now that more people are reading about politicians, are more people talking about them?
Could an increased awareness in politics be a by-product of the endless revelations about MPs expenses; now that more people are reading about politicians, are more people talking about them?
Gilleen Wagstaffe, who works as a sister on an A&E ward, is one person who is:
Gilleen Wagstaffe, who works as a sister on an A&E ward, is one person who is:
"I've been very taken up by what's been happening with the MPs. I think for a lot of people It has overshadowed the local elections.
"I've been very taken up by what's been happening with the MPs. I think for a lot of people It has overshadowed the local elections.
"I'm very angry about what the MPs are doing," she said.
"I'm very angry about what the MPs are doing," she said.
The anger that so many are feeling towards politicians in Wesminster is certainly felt here too.
The anger that so many are feeling towards politicians in Wesminster is certainly felt here too.
Gilleen and Mark Wagstaffe say they will not be voting
For some, like Gilleen, it's a reason to stay away from the polls on Thursday. Her husband Mark says he won't be voting this year either.
For some, like Gilleen, it's a reason to stay away from the polls on Thursday. Her husband Mark says he won't be voting this year either.
Gilleen and Mark Wagstaffe say they will not be voting
"You don't seem to know who to vote for, you feel like you want change, but I'm just not sure which party to go for..." he said.
"You don't seem to know who to vote for, you feel like you want change, but I'm just not sure which party to go for..." he said.
Staying away from the polls at local elections is nothing new. Turnout figures show that far fewer people cast a ballot for their local and county councils votes, as they do at a general election.
Staying away from the polls at local elections is nothing new. Turnout figures show that far fewer people cast a ballot for their local and county councils votes, as they do at a general election.
A large majority of the people I met in Scarborough said the reason they wouldn't be voting was out of protest, rather than ignorance.
A large majority of the people I met in Scarborough said the reason they wouldn't be voting was out of protest, rather than ignorance.
Thin end of the wedge
Thin end of the wedge
Jean Posito and her husband Tony said it was the first time they are choosing not to exercise their democratic right.
Jean Posito and her husband Tony said it was the first time they are choosing not to exercise their democratic right.
"My main problem is with the government as a whole," Jean told me.
"My main problem is with the government as a whole," Jean told me.
"Because of the state of the country as a whole we're not going to vote. Which is unusual because we always do.
"Because of the state of the country as a whole we're not going to vote. Which is unusual because we always do.
"I just don't think it has any bearing on what's happening. We have been on a thin end of a wedge for a long time... and we've really struggled and when you see the people that you should respect coining it in, it's very, very difficult to get your head round," she added.
"I just don't think it has any bearing on what's happening. We have been on a thin end of a wedge for a long time... and we've really struggled and when you see the people that you should respect coining it in, it's very, very difficult to get your head round," she added.
Scarborough's Spa Orchestra was founded in 1912
Scarborough's Spa Orchestra was founded in 1912
I meet Vera Dale while watching the Scarborough's Spa Orchestra. The seaside town is the only resort in the country to have a dedicated professional orchestra. Vera has plenty of anger to share about MPs and their claims; she believes politicians have moral questions to answer.
I meet Vera Dale while watching the Scarborough's Spa Orchestra. The seaside town is the only resort in the country to have a dedicated professional orchestra. Vera has plenty of anger to share about MPs and their claims; she believes politicians have moral questions to answer.
Despite her fury over the issues at Westminster, Vera thinks it is important to separate local and the national issues, and says she will cast her ballot on Thursday.
Despite her fury over the issues at Westminster, Vera thinks it is important to separate local and the national issues, and says she will cast her ballot on Thursday.
"I think we must put the issue of expenses behind us because that is something which will be sorted out eventually.
"I think we must put the issue of expenses behind us because that is something which will be sorted out eventually.
"I think we must think beyond that and think about the current economic situation, and our ties with Europe and all the things that matter on a day to day basis."
"I think we must think beyond that and think about the current economic situation, and our ties with Europe and all the things that matter on a day to day basis."
Local issues
Local issues
For Vera one of the biggest issues locally is the redevelopment of the centuries old Scarborough Spa Complex, which is where we sit and watch the orchestra play against the backdrop of the sea.
For Vera one of the biggest issues locally is the redevelopment of the centuries old Scarborough Spa Complex, which is where we sit and watch the orchestra play against the backdrop of the sea.
Vera wasn't the only person who had local issues she wanted to talk about.
Vera wasn't the only person who had local issues she wanted to talk about.
For Sheree Parnell the priority was getting more spaces for her children to be able to play in. For Wayne and Amanda, more parking on the seafront was they wanted to talk about. Other people chatted to us about litter, dog waste and traffic systems.
For Sheree Parnell the priority was getting more spaces for her children to be able to play in. For Wayne and Amanda, more parking on the seafront was they wanted to talk about. Other people chatted to us about litter, dog waste and traffic systems.
It would be wrong to say that the issue of MPs' expenses is wiping everything else off the agenda here in Scarborough.
It would be wrong to say that the issue of MPs' expenses is wiping everything else off the agenda here in Scarborough.
What it has done is given people the excuse to talk about what else they want to put to rights.
What it has done is given people the excuse to talk about what else they want to put to rights.
