General Election 2010: Young Farmers share their views

Milly Wastie, 25
RABI regional officer, from Northamptonshire South constituency

• 2005 - Didn’t vote
• 2010 - Will vote Conservatives

“I have grown up under a Labour Government and it’s not helped me. It is really important that agriculture is now pushed up the agenda.

“The key issues for me are affordable rural housing and opportunities for young people. The Government isn’t doing enough to encourage new entrants and it isn’t being positive enough to keep young people living in the countryside.

“I think it is time for a change so I will vote for the Conservatives. David Cameron used to be my local MP and he was very proactive at working with people at grassroots level and giving people a voice.”

Caroline Dawson, 26
Local food officer, from Delyn constituency in north east Wales

• 2005 - Voted Conservative
• 2010 - Will vote Conservative

“The main thing is to look for a party that will look to the future and help young people. There is so much emphasis on other parts of society but young people get left behind.

“The Labour Party has not really done anything to benefit rural youth. In terms of looking after our housing needs or securing jobs, the Government has failed.

“Our Young Farmers’ Club has nearly 700 members and we are a key group of people yet only the Conservative candidate - Antoinette Sandbach - has come to see us. I will vote Conservative.”

James Sage, 27
Farmer and Defra inspector, from Somerset North East constituency

• 2005 - Voted Conservative
• 2010 - Will probably vote Conservative

“Labour MP Dan Norris has been in this seat since 1997. He is very pro-active, is a good constituency MP and has regular surgeries, but I won’t be voting for him. We need a change of Government so I will probably vote for the Conservatives because I can’t really see the Liberals getting in.

“Affordable rural housing is a big issue for me - I saw an ex-council house for £250,000 the other day which is just too much. We need relaxed planning laws to allow us to convert old barns and stables too.”

Sam Box, 19
Student, from Tiverton and Honiton constituency, Somerset

• 2005 - Too young to vote
• 2010 - Will vote Liberal Democrat or Conservative

“I actually registered to vote recently and I think it is very important that all young people register and vote because it is our futures that politicians will be making decisions on.

“I don’t really know too much about the various policies, but I watched the TV debate on ITV.

“I think Nick Clegg and David Cameron came across really well but Gordon Brown, on the other hand, seemed to be on the back foot. I think I will have to watch the next debates before I decide how to vote.”

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