The UK headed to the polls to vote in the 2022 local elections.

It might have been a sunny day in Basingstoke, but the Gazette went into Basingstoke town centre to talk with the populace about the local election, the air was predominately one of cynicism.

While many people either had or were going to vote, just as many people were skipping the election altogether for one reason or another., with even some of those who were voting expressing some doubts about the election.

Jean Marshall, 82, was one of those people who expressed some hesitation with the election. The Popley resident exclaimed “What difference does it make?” about the elections, but she was still determined to vote regardless.

An equally cynical voice belonged to Dakota West, 60, from South Ham; but while he shared Jean’s rather negative view on the election, Dakota was resolute in his stance that he was not going to vote, due to his view that “Parliament is a joke”. He added: “They are supposed to set an example to us, but they do whatever they like”.

READ MORE: Basingstoke residents take to the polls for borough council elections

Some residents were taken by surprised that the election was taking place today; Helen Cox, 41, said that she would try to get out and vote, but said that the election was “A bit of a surprise”.

But some people were more determined to vote; Sharon, 46, of Riverdean, was not only feeling “positive” about the election, but she was “Quite confident” about the chances of her favoured party.

Meanwhile, Warren Mockett, 57, was almost overwhelmingly confident when it came to his belief that “Party politics are rubbish”, saying “They don’t change how I’m voting; on local issues”.

Likewise, John Jolley, 86, from Chapel Gate, who had voted earlier in the day, was steadfast in his belief that everyone should vote. He was surprised that, when he went to vote, there were so few people at the polling station, saying “I was the only one voting!”. He went on to claim, “You just won’t get the young people voting”, adding “What people don’t realise is that we get things because the council works for us”.

SEE ALSO: Basingstoke local elections 2022: find out where to vote here

John’s claims that young people don’t vote were unwittingly proven correct by Reece Emery, 22, who said that he was not voting because he was “not really interested”. He clarified, “Politics is one of those things that doesn’t really interest me”.

John Witts, 18, from Chineham, said that he did want to vote, but would rather wait for a later election where he can properly research the candidates, something that he had not done as he had not heard about this local election. He clarified, “I would rather not vote than make a bad choice”.

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