Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Voters have their say – once again
Voters shared their views on the snap election announcement with the Advertiser.
Most are surprised that they are to be asked to choose a local MP once again, just two years after the last general election and when, under the FixedTerm Parliaments Act, the next general election was due to be three years away.
Richard Henderson admitted he was“very surprised”by the Prime Minister’s decision to go to the polls.
He told the Advertiser:“I think Theresa May is up to something. Only a month ago she was saying there wouldn’t be an election.
“I think she’s hoping the Tories get even more MPs; not in Scotland but maybe in England.”
The Airdrie man added:“Everywhere you turn, it’s an election – I’m fed up with it.
“We had a general election two years ago, then the Scottish Parliament, Brexit, and now we’re voting again this year in May and June – people get sick of it.”
Petersburn resident Malcolm McNeil, however, says he had been anticipating just such an announcement from the Prime Minister.
He said:“I had an idea that she might call an election – even though she’d said she wouldn’t. I always thought there was something there.
“I think it’s a good idea and that she needed to do it to go forward with Brexit.”
Craigneuk resident Roberta Bell said:“I was surprised she called an election but I think she’s done the right thing.
“I think there’s a bit of Westminster unrest and this brings it to a head.”
Roberta added:“I’ll always vote, but I’m getting fed up with politicians always going on about a referendum or Brexit.”
Sharing her surprise about the shock announcement and sudden return to the polls was Gabe Smith of Chapelhall.
He said:“I think the Prime Minister is running scared, not wanting to go on TV to take part in debates. It shows her up for not having real backbone.
“Not long ago she felt there couldn’t be a [Scottish] referendum, but now I think she’s seen this gap and gone for it.”
He added:“Every day, you lift the paper and it’s about the election when we had one not long ago.”