What do the voters of Dorset West think?

In the run-up to the election on 5 May, The Independent will be following six focus groups representing a cross-section of opinion to chart their views on the key issues. Yesterday, Tony Blair chose Weymouth in Dorset to launch his party's election campaign. Here, members of our focus group in the neighbouring Tory marginal seat of Dorset West react to the start of the 2005 battle. By Genevieve Roberts and Matthew Beard

Bethany Bader, 29, Health and safety officer

Bethany Bader, 29, Health and safety officer

Voting: 1997 Labour; 2001: Labour; 2005: undecided

"Council tax is a huge issue for me - I pay £157 per month. I also think that there is something seriously wrong with the education system when you cannot get any funds to retrain. Although I'm epileptic, I don't want to claim state benefits. I just want help towards the cost of studying."

Oliver D, 18, A-level student

Voting: Not voted before; 2005: Conservative

"I think the Conservatives are the only party that are going to deliver. Labour have already had two terms in office and it would be foolish to give them another chance. The Liberal Party are just a bit of a joke. I agree with Howard about Europe. I think we've given far too many powers to Europe."

Dick Teague, 61, Retired teacher

Voting: 2001 Labour; 1997 Labour; 2005 Undecided

"I have never been more confused about who to vote for. I left the Labour Party 18 months ago after 30 years of supporting them. It was an accumulation of domestic policies and the war in Iraq. Tony Blair has presided over the demolition of the active party workers system. Things would be different if I was being asked to vote for Gordon Brown - I'm much more sure of his vision."

Sue Pettifer, 41, Trainee alternative therapist

Voting: 1997 Lib Dem; 2001 Lib Dem; 2005 Lib Dem

"The election date has been the worst-kept secret and the electioneering has started already, the billboards are already up. I cannot imagine I will be swayed by the point-scoring that we will see over the next few weeks between the parties. It is the consistency of the Liberal Democrats that I am most impressed by; they were against the Iraq war right from the start."

Lorna Low, 63, Alternative medicine practitioner

Voting: 2001: Conservative; 2005: Undecided

"It's about time they announced the date. Everybody's been waiting, and I just feel relieved that I know it's finally going to happen. I cannot see myself supporting anybody who supported the Iraq war; that is more important than any promises over the next few weeks. The Tories will be very hard pressed this time and Letwin will have to work hard."

Jill Pope, 60, School governor and retired school teacher

Voting: 1997 Labour; 2001 Labour; 2005 Labour

"A lot will hang on this election. It's a very interesting situation here, seeing whether Oliver Letwin will get back in. We have a Green candidate standing for the first time in several years, and there is a feeling that will have an effect. At this stage there is everything to play for, but a huge amount needs to be done locally for Mr Letwin to lose his seat."