Voters desperate for change and a return to a 'once proud town'

Empty shops, neglected buildings, and low footfall have become an increasing feature of Bradshawgate in recent years, and while this is a similar case for many northern towns, many Leythers despair with what has happened to a "once proud town".

Although Leigh voted Conservative for the first time in its history in 2019, some voters do not believe that this created any significant change in the town, and as the Tories have been in power for the past 14 years, there seems to be an eagerness to "get them out" in the upcoming General Election.

However, while many seem desperate for a change in government, the Journal also found a sense of apathy about the election in Leigh town centre, and a disillusionment that any party will change the fortunes of a town perceived by many to be in decline.

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People point to empty shops and neglected buildings as signs of struggle in Leigh (Image: Leigh Journal)
With the upcoming election involving a boundary change locally, with Atherton moving from the Bolton West to the Leigh constituency, a recent YouGov poll predicted that Labour will regain the Leigh and Atherton seat from the Conservatives.

As the town's current Tory MP James Grundy announced that he will not be standing in the election, this means it is likely that the Labour candidate, Jo Platt, will regain the seat she lost five years ago.

With more than 60 percent of Leigh voting to leave the European Union in 2016, and some concerned about the potential of a Jeremy Corbyn government, Jo Platt failed to win over voters in 2019, but some feel that she has a good record of fighting for the town and the issues that matter locally.

Cllr Lee McStein, Michael Caine and Avis Freeman near the restored Pennington-Bedford-Atherton Boundary Stone on Brown Street (Image: Michael Caine)
"I think Jo Platt was a good MP when she was elected", says Michael Caine, when the Journal spoke to residents in Leigh town centre about the upcoming election.

"I think there is sometimes a misconception that MPs are just a voice for the area, because a lot of the time they have to vote with their party.

"But she used her voice to speak up for local issues and disability groups, and I don't think she got long enough in Parliament."

A member of the Leigh, Atherton, and Tyldesley Heritage Group, Michael said that places like Leigh have struggled since its industry was lost and not replaced, and feels that things have been made worse by the austerity cuts enacted by the Conservatives since they were elected in 2010.

With Wigan Council estimating that it has had £180m cut from its budget over the past decade, Michael said that this has had a "massive impact" on local services, and hopes that a Labour government would increase funding to local authorities that can be spread across the borough.

Sharon remembers a 'booming' high street in Leigh (Image: Leigh Journal)
Although Sandra Ashbrooke is undecided on who she will vote for in the election, she also said that she has heard "good reports" about Jo Platt from people in the community.

Nevertheless, pointing to the struggles along Bradshawgate, Sandra expressed her general distrust in politicians, claiming that they "break promises" and do not change anything.

Sandra said: "All politicians are the same, they all make promises but give us nothing.

"Just look at the town centre, there are so many empty shops, no clothes shops, and people are sleeping rough.

"When I was younger, Leigh used to be booming and I think that pride has definitely gone from the town.

"I've lived in Leigh all my life and I used to be really proud of being from Leigh, but I don't anymore."

While Sandra is unconvinced that a change in government will bring about change in Leigh, the issues most important to her are improvements in the town centre, further investment from the government and council into Leigh, and an increased crackdown against anti-social behaviour.

Bradshawgate has struggled with declining footfall over the years (Image: Leigh Journal)
Although Leigh is set to receive £11.4m in regeneration funding and a further £20m pot over a ten-year period, Pauline, who did not want to give her surname, had similar feelings to Sandra about the current state of the town centre.

She said: "Leigh used to be a lovely, proud town. I remember when the high street was full of shops, and you could quit your job on Friday and pick up a new one on Monday.

"Now there are too many out-of-workers, too many homeless people, and too many empty shops."

While Pauline is also unconvinced by politicians, the former carer said that she will vote Labour, as she always has done, and hopes that town centres, the social care system, and NHS waiting lists will be improved.

Eddie is eager to have a change in government (Image: Leigh Journal)
Although there was some disillusionment with politics in Leigh town centre, other voters were enthusiastic about the prospect of a change in government after 14 years of Tory rule.

While the Conservatives have had to deal with several national crises - such as the aftermath of the 2008 recession, the pandemic, and the cost of living crisis - a lot of the antipathy for the Tories seems to be with how they have handled these events.

"I think the government has got to go", says Eddie Jones.

"They showed themselves to be corrupt in the pandemic when we were all in our homes and old folks were isolating in care homes, and they were partying and giving huge contracts to their mates.

"The one thing I was grateful for was the furlough scheme, but you can't look past what they’ve done, and we've since had pensioners keeping their coats on because they don't want to put their heating on.

"I'm not sure if Keir [Starmer] is strong enough [as leader of the Labour Party], but we have got to get them out.

"My dad used to work on the docks and my granddad worked in Astley pit, so I will be keeping their tradition of voting Labour."

Stuart also wants to see a change in government, but doesn't think it will happen overnight (Image: Leigh Journal)
Stuart Atherton, who was waiting for his daughter to finish work on Bradshawgate, had similar feelings to Eddie about the government, and also alluded to the loss of pride in northern towns.

Stuart, a former factory worker, said: "I've never trusted the Tories. Ever since Edward Heath and Margaret Thatcher, they have treated the working class, lower-paid, and disabled groups like pariahs.

"That pride of place has gone and I think things have got worse since we started importing more products from abroad rather than manufacturing them ourselves.

"I do hope Labour get in because I think they will improve things, but it will not happen overnight.

“It takes longer to fix things than to break things, so I think they would need at least two terms to start to see a difference."

James Grundy won a shock victory for the Tories when he was elected in 2019 (Image: Leigh Journal)
Along Bradshawgate, many others pointed to the decline of the town centre but did not want to speak about the upcoming election, which again highlights a feeling that Leigh has been left behind, but with a scepticism that politicians will be able to solve this.

And while it is difficult to assess a whole constituency from a few interviews in the town centre, it is also clear on social media that many people across Leigh and Atherton want a change from the current government.

Following on from Leigh's Brexit vote in 2016, a lot of those voters see Reform UK, and their tough stance on immigration, as the party that will bring about this change.

However, if the YouGov poll is to be believed and it is Labour that will win back the seat in Leigh and Atherton, the party has a lot to do to restore confidence in politics and restore pride in an area that many believe has been left behind.