"The Tories have just about ruined the country at the moment", said Liz Heard. We spoke to Ms Heard on Cowbridge high street in the affluent heart of the Vale of Glamorgan constituency which has sent Tory MP Alun Cairns to Westminster at ever election since 2010. How seats like this vote will play a significant role in determining the result of the next General Election.
Ms Heard wasn't very impressed with Labour either, saying: "I think they're all behaving like spoilt little children at the moment and they're not really considering the future of the country and the young generation as well. I've got two children who are mid-thirties and they can't afford to get on the property ladder, and the fact that they will probably never ever retire- it just looks awful.
"I think people in Cowbridge are getting a bit fed up with it. My friends and I don't really discuss politics anymore- whereas we used to."
In the Vale, Mr Cairns only holds a slim majority of 3,562 votes meaning his seat would be one of the first to fall if there is a swing to Labour at the next General Election, which must be held by January 24, 2025 in just two years time. The website electionpolling.co.uk suggests that the seat is 44th on Labour's target list judging by the majority size alone.
Given the criticism of Mr Cairns in recent years, which include his resignation as a cabinet minster after being accused of lying about his knowledge of the fact a Conservative candidate collapsed a rape trial and the cash and gifts he has accepted during his role as MP, Labour are likely to be hopeful of regaining a seat they last held with then MP John Smith during Tony Blair's premiership.
The Vale is a constituency in which more traditionally right-wing rural areas like Cowbridge are joined to the less affluent town of Barry which is seen as a Labour area. But it seems Mr Cairns will struggle to even count on votes on Cowbridge.
Brian, who is also from Cowbridge said: "I'd vote for Labour. I'm from a traditional Valley area and I'm afraid I've never been a Tory and I never will be a Tory. I suppose it depends on which area you come from but I would say generally in Wales the majority of people would vote for Labour or Plaid Cymru."
Another resident, Terry Bloodworth felt a similar way. He said: "I'd vote Labour. Apart from the fact I come from the valleys and I'm expected to vote Labour, I've had enough of the Tories anyway.
"Even if I was voting Tory I would vote Labour now. It's come to the point where enough is enough. What's happened over the past couple of years with the health service and everything else it's got to the point where we can say we can go nowhere with this government.
"I'm not sure about Cowbridge but I do feel that a lot more people feel that way at the moment. It's come to the crunch time now after a number of years of Tory governments and what's happening with the NHS- it's time we moved on and try something new even if they fail."
But Sarah Davies believes that the demands would be tough for any party right now. She said: "I'm very torn. There's no easy answer. I think it's a difficult job for anyone to do at the moment but I would probably stay with Conservative.
"I don't think they're doing brilliantly but I think given the circumstances it's going as well as, perhaps it could. I think Covid is a massive challenge.
"It's had a huge impact across the country in all aspects. I've been listening to what Labour have been saying particularly this week about general practice- I'm a GP myself and I don't like what they're talking about for the future of general practice and their approach to the health service so I think we should stick to what we've got at the moment."
Things have got to the point now for small business owner, Jemima Salt, where she is willing to do what she can to avoid being led by the Conservative party. She said: "I'd probably vote Labour- I usually like to vote for the Green Party, but anything to get the Conservatives out- I'd be willing to do a tactical vote for Labour if that was going to work out in their favour.
"It's sort of what my friends have been talking about and I think that's what put the idea in my head that you should vote tactically. I don't want to tell anyone to vote tactically if they don't want to but at the moment it's such a dire situation that I think you have to choose the lesser of two evils."
Chloe Sheared also believed that it was time for a change. She said: "I'd vote for Labour. It's partly because of family values, we've always been Labour.
"They're definitely more for working class as well. I've always had to work for what I have and I just kind of feel like they're the best option really for my situation.
"And so far the Tory government haven't exactly led us in the best direction so far... I work with lots of people from Cowbridge and they'd disagree with me probably because of situations like lifestyle.
"I'd imagine it comes down to what suits you better for your situation. So for them if Labour was to get into power it might not benefit them like it would, say, benefit me."
Read next:
- The Welsh MP who has received lavish gifts from Qatar
Alun Cairns advised private equity firm on £1.3bn project before taking £30,000-a-year second job
Plaid Cymru accuses Mark Drakeford of lacking the will to give nurses a pay rise
Welsh Government's own report says 20mph speed limit could cost economy billions
