'The floodgates have opened!' Ashfield voters give verdict on how Farage return impacts Lee Anderson

Lee Anderson will be looking to defend his seat as a Reform candidate, whereas Labour and Tories will both be eyeing up the constituency.

Here's what the people of Ashfield had to say about the general election.

Angela Genghi said: "I don’t know which way I’m voting. I watched the debate last night and I think Sunak came out on top. I voted Tory in 2019 because I wasn’t a fan of MrCorbyn and I think a lot of people were the same.

"I don’t think Keir Starmer is that dynamic. I do like Nigel Farage, he speaks his mind. I think Reform will do better than expected. With Nigel, he’s got a fight in him. I saw that milkshake thrown at him, I don’t like it really, I disagree with plenty of people but I wouldn’t go throwing milkshakes on anyone.

“Politicians, they tell a lot of lies. They promise this and they promise that.

"I mean, look at Mr Starmer, he is saying he is going to get the smuggling gangs. How is he going to do that? Surely someone would have done it before if it was that easy."

David Brailsford said: “I would vote Tory if there is a proper Tory candidate. But I don’t think there is. I won’t vote Labour.

“I think Nigel brings some name recognition with him.”

Another Sutton-in-Ashfield resident, Derek, said: "I mean, look around you. The place is a dump. I do not know yet who I will be voting for. I have been Conservative before but I’m not sure this time. With the roads and streets the state they are, it's like they couldn’t care less.

"I don’t particularly like Farage, I personally do not think him coming back will impact Reform. None of these politicians can talk properly."

Leanne Newton said: "I don’t particularly follow politics. For me the big issue is the cost of living. Everything is so extortionate. I did see Nigel Farage on I’m a Celeb. I just think he would not be the best person if he comes to power."

Soberekon added: "I do not know much but I like Farage, I have read his politics and he seems like a good person. I think he has good ideas and I like his composure a lot."

Gavin Abbott said: “I have had my run ins with Lee Anderson in the past. I didn’t vote last time, thinking of voting Labour but I am not sure.

“The floodgates have opened on immigration and none of them are doing anything about it. About Nigel Farage, I don’t like him. He just seems like he is money grabbing.”

Gerald Smith said: "Well, I don’t mind Lee Anderson. He speaks his mind and that’s a good thing. But its tough between him and Labour and the Tories. I haven’t decided which way I will vote."

Another, who did not want to be named said: "Oliver Cromwell, he would have known what to have done."

The declared candidates for Ashfield at time of writing:

• Lee Anderson - Reform UK
• Alexander Coates - Green Party
• Rhea Keehn - Labour Party
• Debbie Soloman - Conservative and Unionist Party
• Jason Zadrozny - Ashfield Independents