First time voter: Liam Barkes

  • Published
Liam BarkesImage source, (C) British Broadcasting Corporation

Name?

Liam Barkes.

How old are you?

22.

Where do you live?

Ilkeston in Derbyshire.

What do you do?

I work for a company that maintains rental properties. I do all sorts really - plastering, plumbing, cleaning. Anything really, apart from gas.

Kids?

Yes - Imogen. She's nearly 18 months.

Why haven't you voted before?

I didn't see the point. There was nothing that made me want to vote for any particular party because no one said anything that stood out to me.

What do you think of politicians?

There's nothing that really makes me want to vote for any of them. There's just what you read in the papers - and that's usually pretty negative about all of them.

How do you feel about voting?

To be honest, the only party I've ever really seen doing anything was the BNP.

Obviously I watched that Question Time with Nick Griffin, and to be honest I agreed with a few of his points on immigration - only letting so many people in and all that.

Some of his points I agree with, but others I'm not so sure about.

What's the big issue for you in this election?

I'm living with my mum and dad at the minute. Obviously I want independence for me and my daughter, and a space of my own, but I just can't afford a place.

They offer the half-buy half-rent scheme but it's still going to work out expensive for first-time buyers.

And while you're renting, paying all your bills, without saving for years and years, how are you meant to save up for a deposit?

I'd like to see some sort of incentive where the government pays the deposit on your house for you, and maybe claim it back later.

What's the first thing you'd do as Prime Minister?

Pull all the troops out of Afghanistan. It just seems like all these young lads and women are being killed for no reason.

Maybe they're getting rid of a few terrorists, but people are still going to be becoming terrorists whether the troops are there or not.