RESIDENTS who describe themselves as traditionally working-class, Labour supporters from Barrow have been explaining why they think Theresa May best represents their interests.

In a General Election Newsnight special programme, which was shown last night on BBC Two, camera crews visited pubs and homes on Barrow Island to find out why lifelong Labour supporters were tempted to vote Tory.

Former councillor with Barrow Borough Council, Eric Wood, described the Conservatives as "the only ones with any brains".

Mr Wood said during his interview: "The Conservatives are the only party at this time who are going to deliver Brexit, and I'm considering voting for them because of that.

"But they are the only ones with brains and I don't think people see the left as being smart people at the moment."

The crew then visited the Devonshire pub in Michaelson Road.

Nicola Wood described herself as a lifelong Labour voter but believes Theresa May, and the Conservatives, will fight for the interests of "hard-working people" better than any other party.

She said: "I think she cares about what normal, everyday working people think and she wants to make things better for them. They are the ones that are going to get the job done."

Sitting alongside her in the pub, Ann Taylor added: "I know people who are saying they are better off on the dole. I'm swayed to vote Theresa May. I think she is a strong woman."

David Armistead has been a "Labour man" all his life, and said it was unlikely he would vote Conservative, but he added: "If there was ever a time for Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour party to show unity, it's now, but it's not there."

Others, like the former Labour leader of Barrow Borough Council, Terry Smith, argued that the media's portrayal of Jeremy Corbyn is responsible for his party's downturn.

But, he conceded: "Theresa May appeals to Labour supporters" in her position vowing to look after "the ones who are only just managing".

The full interviews on Newsnight can be watched HERE .