A FIRST-TIME voter, undecided about who she should back, has taken matters into her own hands and quizzed her General Election candidates directly on matters affecting her family.

Catherine Warrilow, 31, and her husband Tom, 30, had never taken a real interest in politics until their son Noah arrived 21 months ago.

But with the General Election fast approaching, the couple from Ely Close, Abingdon, had no clear idea which box to tick. So they sent eight questions to three local candidates to see what responses they got.

Liberal Democrat candidate for Oxford West and Abingdon Dr Evan Harris, Conservative candidate Nicola Blackwood and Labour candidate Richard Stevens had three days to respond to her questions on everything from healthcare to primary schools, and policing to recycling.

Before the deadline passed, she had received responses from the Tory and Labour candidates – but was still waiting for Dr Harris to get in touch.

Mrs Warrilow, who works in public relations, said: “The elections never really interested us before, but now we have a family it seems so much more important.

“We wanted a way to find out answers to matters specifically relating to us – which comes down to the wellbeing of our family.

“I am going to vote based on the responses to the questions, which is allowing me to make the most educated decision, rather than going by the general hype.”

Mrs Warrilow, who grew up in a family of Liberal Democrat voters, said she had been most impressed by Mr Stevens, who responded first, sending additional information on family matters and emailing an Internet link for more information.

She said: “I was surprised the candiadtes were so proactive. It made me realise part of my decision will be based on how responsive and helpful they have been.”

She added: “Labour are talking a lot about initiatives which they started, and would continue to develop – such as children’s centres – while the Tories are saying what they would change.”

She has posted both sets of responses on her blog babygenie.wordpress.com.

Despite emailing and telephoning Dr Harris, she had not received a response at the time the Oxford Mail went to press.

Subjects raised by Mrs Warrilow included:

How to improve services at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

How to support facilities for pre-school.

How to support working families.

How to ensure parents get the best possible state education.

How would prospective MPs help small businesses grow?

What are the policing priorities?

Plans to improve Abingdon town centre.

How to improve household waste collections and encourage families to recycle more?