Weariness beside the Salford waters

There's sense of weariness among many voters in Salford as the Manchester Evening News visits to speak to voters ahead of next month's general election.

A fair few say they're unsatisfied with party politics and most have one thing in common - a deep concern over the state of public services, some of which people say are 'collapsing'.

"The country is a bit of a shambles at the moment in terms of public services," Jack, a student at the University of Salford says. "You could go on for days about the things that need investment."

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Many voters tell the M.E.N. they'd rather see investment in vital services than tax cuts. "Public services are failing all around us," one woman passing in Salford Quays says, adding: "It takes hundreds of pounds just to go to London for the day and the NHS is collapsing."

Another student from the University of Salford, Elliot, said: "It is a shambles. The last thing people need is more money in their own pocket, we need that invested into public services."

Asked about the party leaders, many echoed similar thoughts. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wasn't exactly flavour of the month. "Sunak has all the charisma of a brush, he's not relatable at all," Elliot added.

"The way he treats his constituents and the nation, and the way he neglects what really matters to the country and the struggles everyone is going through at the moment," a woman said.

"He thinks he knows what he is on about when it comes to what's best for the country," says Jack. "It's more about what people want to hear, rather than what's best for the people."

The mention of Keir Starmer is also met with dissatisfaction. "Out of touch with reality," Elliot says, as Jack adds: "He hasn't got an idea of what the average person would benefit from."

Another person said of the Laboud leader: "He lacks backbone. He has potential, but he isn't what the country needs right now."

The M.E.N. and Reach are leading a nationwide vox pop project called '5000 voices', speaking to people across the country about the issues affecting them ahead of next month's general election.

Our reporters will be travelling around Greater Manchester to hear from the people about what really matters to them.

You can watch the public's answers to our reporters' questions in full in the video above.