Local elections 2012: Your views from Southampton

By Greg Dawson
Newsbeat reporter in Southampton

Millions of people across the UK will get the chance to choose new councillors this week.

On Thursday (3 May), voters will decide who should be in charge of everything from binmen to swimming pools, to money spent on schools.

They may not grab the public interest as much as general elections but the outcome of local elections can have a big impact on both voters and the politicians.

In Southampton, like much of the country, cuts have dominated local politics over the past 12 months.

Alex Pope says the strike by binmen was a big issue in Southampton

Twenty-four-year old Alex Pope told Newsbeat: "Last year the binmen went on strike and the rubbish wasn't being collected.

"That was a huge problem, it was just horrible to look at.

"You didn't want to have to walk through the town because of the clutter. Things like that are definitely a concern."

Refuse collectors in Southampton went on strike for more than a week after they were told to take a pay cut.

A budget cut of more than £25m also meant hundreds of council workers lost their jobs.

National influence

Imran Khan was a social worker for the council but was forced to quit: "I was cut down to nine hours a week and unfortunately nine hours a week doesn't pay the mortgage."

These elections will be the first chance for many voters to have their say since the cuts were made.

Most of the budget decisions have been made by the government in London and it's likely many people will cast their vote based on how they think the national government is doing.

That's why Southampton has become one of the key places to watch in this election.

The Conservatives are in charge here but Labour are the second biggest party and will be hoping to win control of the city on Thursday.

Many people will probably vote based on national politics says Joanna Wroe

If they do, it will be seen as a sign the party is starting to make a comeback after its heavy general election defeat in 2010.

Joanna Wroe, 21, lives in the city: "I think a lot of people won't separate what's happened in local politics from what has happened in national politics.

"The cuts that have been made by the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are quite significant here.

"But it's partially understandable because of the problems with the national budget."

Other parties hoping to make some gains in Southampton include the Green Party and the UK Independence Party.

With the cuts, unemployment and the economy still struggling, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats will expect some losses.

For Labour, these elections are a big test for Ed Miliband.

If they fail to make significant gains, questions might be asked about whether he's still the right man to lead the party.

See a full list of candidates for Southampton's local elections