Sally Beardsworth on turnout - West Northants Liberal Democrats leader & candidate in Kingsthorpe North
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00:00So we've had a turnout today of 32% across West Northamptonshire in this local election.
00:05Is this the kind of level of turnout that you were expecting?
00:08Well we've always had a better turnout in Kingslop. It's usually been about 35, 37 in the past.
00:13So it is lower down than it's been in the past but of course in Kingslop North it's a massive area now.
00:20It's huge. That's why we'd have three councillors because it's going to be an awful lot of work
00:24for the people looking after that area.
00:27And in terms of the increase from the 2021 local election it's around 2-3% so there has been an increase.
00:35But do you think it's enough? Has there been enough interest shown by local people in this local election?
00:40No. No. Because I talk to people on the doorstep and I say to them it's your council tax we're talking about.
00:46It's local issues. It's your children's place at school. It's libraries. It's looking at the roads.
00:53It's making sure there's so many things. Parks. Recreation. There's so much that we deal with that affects everyday life for people in Northampton.
01:03And Kingslop. We need to make sure that they run as effectively and properly as they can so people get the services they require.
01:11And do you think the people of West Northamptonshire understand the value and the weight that their vote holds in these?
01:16As opposed to a general election which of course nationally there's a higher turnout.
01:21Oh yes.
01:21Do you think people see the value in local elections as much as they should?
01:27No. I don't think so. I think people need to be less apathetic about it and realise that.
01:34But there again whatever happens whoever takes over they've got to demonstrate to the people that they were worthy of their vote.
01:40I think people need to be less apathetic about it and realise that they're going to be less apathetic about it and realise that they're going to be less apathetic about it.