SWANAGE is one of the largest towns in the South Dorset constituency and unsurprisingly tourism is essential to its local economy.

The proposed Navitus Bay wind farm, set for a few miles off its award-winning beach, is certainly one topic any prospective candidate will need to make their views clear on.

But in recent years the shortage of affordable housing and transport links to the Victorian seaside resort have moved up the political agenda.

We went and spoke to the people of Swanage to get their views on the looming general election.

Jackie Wray, born and bred in Swanage, said: “The trouble is every single party comes out with this good stuff, what you want to here, but after the election it just doesn’t happen.”

Meanwhile, Chris Milward, from Swanage, said: “I think it is important to vote, you cannot moan if you don’t vote.

“I’ll be voting on national issues, but the local issues here are housing and jobs for young people, and transport. If you don’t drive you are stuck here.”

Rosie Thurgood, who owns and runs local business The Canteen, Kings Road East, told the Echo green issues would define who she was voting for.

“I think we should simply all be greener. The shortage in housing is a national issue, not just a local one. I don’t think any party is really addressing what they’re going to do about housing.”

Beryl Scott, from Swanage’s RNLI charity shop, said she’d be definitely voting come May 7.

“I think it might be very close this year, there’s a lot of discussion going on nationally and locally – we’ve even got a big talk coming up at our church.

“I’ll probably be making my decision on local issues more than national ones.”

Beryl also pointed out the hot political potato which is the Navitus Bay Wind Farm, which has caused consternation among many locals.

She added: “Housing for young people is a real problem. Young people in this area don’t really get much of a look-in when it comes to housing, we definitely need more affordable housing."

Jon Belfield, of Purbeck, echoed Beryl’s concerns about affordability of local housing as an issue he wants prospective MPs to take on.

“I was born and bred here, but I cannot afford to buy anywhere to live around here. There’s not enough social housing, there’s a north/south divide when it comes to housing costs in this country.

“The problem is politicians tend to stick to their party line, I think they could do more about housing costs in areas like South Dorset, but I doubt they will.”

Suzanne Dominy, who runs Swanage’s Art Workshop, a not-for-profit organisation working with vulnerable adults, said she wanted a candidate who was willing to put arts back on the political agenda.

“Mental health is also a big issue for me,” she added. “I think people with mental health issues need to be supported more and we need someone who is willing to invest more in the arts.”

Her husband Alan Dominy said: “I want someone representing me who will protect people on benefits, because at the moment people on benefits are being victimised. Most people on benefits are not there because they want to be.

“People have got to be protected. Let’s make the food banks redundant because everybody has enough to eat.”