Voters across the county give their views

Voters across the country have a more important choice to make than ever as a range of smaller parties such as UKIP and the Green Party vie to take votes from the traditional big hitters.

During the next four weeks Luke Sproule will be talking to five voters from across the county about who they plan to vote for and what they think of the election campaign.

This week our panellists gave us their thoughts on the start of the campaign and who they are thinking of voting for with four weeks to go.

Oxford West and Abingdon

• Dr Peter Harbour, 75, retired former physicist and lecturer. From South Avenue, Abingdon.

"I want to get a clearer idea of what the balance is looking like at the moment.

"I would describe myself, not as an undecided, but as decidedly cautious.

"I think I'm leaning away from the Conservatives because their policies are going too far.

"I think we need a change from the Conservative approach which will only do more damage to the poor and the vulnerable.

"I'm very concerned about the number of new homes being built in Oxfordshire.

"I'm also very worried that they're planning expansion into the Green Belt land.

Wantage

• Julie Mabberley, 57, part-time management consultant. Parsonage Close, Wantage

“I have no idea whatsoever who I am going to vote for.

“In Wantage you have two choices.

“You either vote for Ed Vaizey and follow the norm or you think about what you should be doing.

“I have been taking a look around at the other candidates.

“I tend to vote on issues so I have voted for a range of parties in the past.

“One of the big issues around here is the increase in the size of Wantage and the infrastructure that is needed to go with it.

“I am also a bit concerned about all these tax cuts because I do not see what the benefit to the economy is going to be.”

Witney

• David Bates, 55, works for Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action. Harvest Way, Witney

“I am thinking about voting for David Cameron at this stage.

“I would not be interested if the leader of the Conservatives was Boris Johnson or other Tories.

“I feel David Cameron is a compassionate Conservative and that chimes with my values.

“It is probably unlikely I would change but I may do.

“I think transport and facilities are big issues in Witney.

“We have a real traffic problem.

“I also think our young people do not have the structures that were around when I was younger when we had the church and there was a lot of other things going on.

“I would like to see more investment in youth facilities.”

Banbury

• John Broad, 70, retired development engineer. Mallards Way, Bicester

“At the moment I am leaning towards Ukip because they say what the man in the pub could say and I feel I am the man in the pub.

“But my choice could change. The Green Party might get my vote.

“It will be interesting to see how the new MP deals with transport, which is a big issue around here.

“And there seems to be a disconnect between the different centres of government such as the council and government bodies like the Highways Agency, which I would like to see change. Housing is also an issue which is connected to transport.

“There was always a feeling with [former MP] Sir Tony Baldry he was really looking out for either Bicester or Banbury.

“It will be interesting to see how his successor deals with that.”

Oxford East

• Aamir Shahzad, 30, taxi driver. Field Avenue, Blackbird Leys

“I have no idea who I am going to vote for at the moment.

“I did not watch the TV debates so I still have no idea.

“I read articles and watch current affairs to see who I should give the vote to.

“I think one of the big issues in Oxford East is that there are not enough recreational activities in Blackbird Leys.

“I would also vote for a party which thinks about the people and want to do what is best for them.

“I think one big national issue is the immigration debate.

“I moved here four years ago from Pakistan and I never voted there.

“In my country it is totally different.

“When the election is coming there are flags around and it is a big craze.”