THE General Election is rapidly approaching and voters across Bolton are preparing to cast their votes in what is set to be one of the closest results in the nation’s political history.

In the run up to the election The Bolton News politics reporter Liam Thorp is taking an in-depth look at each of the borough’s three constituencies and hearing from the candidates that are hoping to win your vote on May 7.

WHEN looking at Bolton’s three parliamentary constituencies, it is Bolton South East that is the least likely to spring any sort of surprise.

The seat has been a safe Labour area since its formation in 1983, with MPs David Young and Brian Iddon holding on to it up until the last General Election in 2010.

That vote saw current Labour candidate Yasmin Qureshi seal victory with a large majority of 8,634 and those of a political persuasion would suggest it is hard to imagine Ms Qureshi, a former barrister for the United Nations, not regaining power on May 7.

That will not be the view of her challengers however, which include Conservative candidate Mudasir Dean, a Bradshaw Councillor and business owner who has famously campaigned for patriotic awareness in the past.

Entering the ring for the Liberal Democrats is Darren Reynolds, a father-of-three from Burnley who is aiming to do a PHD in neuroscience.

Standing on behalf of Greens is Bolton party chairman Alan Johnson — a staunch union activist and completing the ticket is local magistrate Jeff Armstrong of the United Kingdom Independence Party.

With just days to go before the key vote, The Bolton News has quizzed the candidates for a final time on a range of important issues including the economy, the National Health Service and what they believe are the key local issues for voters.

First and foremost we asked each candidate why they believed they deserve the vote of constituents on May 7.

Labour’s Yasmin Qureshi is seeking a second term as MP for the area, she said: “For the past five years, I have worked hard to be a diligent constituency MP, I have held regular advice surgeries, where anyone can attend without an appointment, and I will continue to run these if re-elected.

“People should vote for me because every campaign I have fought for, in both Parliament and Bolton, has come to me via my constituents."

“Whether it was on cuts to the NHS, protecting Royal Bolton Hospital’s A&E, fighting for equal pay or against cuts to EMA — they have all come from residents of Bolton South East.”

Tory hopeful Mudasir Dean said he will fight “tirelessly” for local people, he added: “I was born and bred in Bolton and this is the town where my Grandfather came to settle in 1923.

“My children are fourth-generation Boltonians and I care very much about my town. I went to school here, college here, university here and I've worked in the heart of the community for the best part of my career — my politics is all about ensuring a better future for my home town.

“I am a local candidate who cares passionately about this town and will never let my constituents down.”

Darren Reynolds believes his Liberal Democrat party took a “proud gamble” entering coalition with the Conservatives.

He added: “The country needed a Government and we gave it one, at considerable cost to our own party. The Liberal Democrats' ambitious job then was to put the brakes on the more rabid Tory plans for our society, putting country first —this we did.

“If you vote for Darren Reynolds and the Liberal Democrats this time, you're voting for someone who will give the Tories a heart, give Labour a brain and put our country first.”

Fighting on behalf of the Green party, Alan Johnson said: “If you are not sure who to vote for, maybe you think they are all the same then you may have a point.

“Only the Green Party offers a clear alternative, to the failed model of austerity, and wants a more caring, fairer society, we have policies, for the majority and not just the wealthy few.

“I have lived in the constituency for over 30 years, and I am well aware of what Bolton South East needs and that is a different approach.”

UKIP candidate Jeff Armstrong thinks the South East contest is a two-horse race between Labour and UKIP.

he said: “I believe many people are fed up with the same old career politicians and they want change.

“ I can offer this and I would be able to represent the electorate properly as I would not be subject to a whip so would be free to act on their behalf.

“For those leaning towards Labour, you should bear in mind that, if you vote Labour, you will get SNP. However, vote UKIP and you will get UKIP.”