performing. we have not mentioned the cost of living crisis performing. we have not mentioned the cost of living crisis which - performing. we have not mentioned the cost of living crisis which is i the cost of living crisis which is something that will undoubtedly be on the minds of voters across the country, how much of it as a factor here? , , ., , ., , here? interesting you bring that up because i have here? interesting you bring that up because i have spoken here? interesting you bring that up because i have spoken to here? interesting you bring that up because i have spoken to charitiesl because i have spoken to charities and food banks, the alice charity locally and they have told me in recent weeks since the bills started to go up the number of referrals they have been getting has shot up and this is from working families so thatis and this is from working families so that is very much an issue on the doorstep for candidates that are knocking on doors and campaigning. t
of because i think that s a very pressing issue. next week s elections in england are about who runs local services, but they ll also show which parties are on their way up and which could be losing grip there. the first widespread test of opinion since the war in ukraine, since prices really started to climb and of course, since news of lockdown parties in downing street. i think that will probably contribute to the way a lot of people vote. if belief is shaken in a party, then that will will change the way that people kind of see them in the both on the local and large scale. in terms of covid and obviously we ve had a recent party gate thing. i do follow that kind of stuff because it s obviously all over the media. but i think overall i would care more about the local elections because your councillor can make a change for you. southampton s just one place where these elections will test the political water, notjust for the larger parties, but the greens and a host of others too. wh
but to keep going, they need backing. from pandemic to to the war in ukraine, you know, down to to some of the factors that are affecting us. high inflation rate, items we buy have gone more than 100%, you know, increase in price. we re just really like hanging on the line, trying to see that we stay up. we really need a change whereby all these small businesses can be supported. the economy cannot do without small and medium scale businesses, whether local or national factors are at play. there s a lot at stake in these elections which could cause quite a political shake up. alex forsyth, bbc news, southampton. to get more on the context of the politics here in newcastle under lyme i am joined by jenny aitken who is the reporter
will be seen as the public s view of the political parties nationally. for the conservatives, is borisjohnson still a vote winner? for labour is keir starmer rebuilding support where he needs to? are the lib dems broadening their base? but remember these elections will decide who runs local services. so for many people, local factors will count. in southampton city centre, brenda s had a tough couple of years trying to keep her therapy business afloat. and with prices rising, she says it s local support that matters to her. electric bills have almost doubled, you know, and again, that affects running costs where we re not earning as much. now, i think more could be done and try and support those businesses that are trying to support the communities because we re all playing our part. not far away, this cocktail bar was set up after the pandemic as a place to bring people together. 0wners prince and dorothy say community is important to them,
test cricket captain. allegations of sexism in westminster, a labour mp claims inappropriate comments were made to her by a conservative member of cabinet. it comes after mps claimed they saw a member of parliament watching pornography in parliament. i am finding out which issues will most affect how people will vote in the elections next week. and the government is to publish its plans of the sale of channel 4. it s expected to scrap many of the rules for commercial public service broadcasters.