BREXIT means Brexit – and we’re going to be hearing about little else for at least the next two years and possibly longer still.

Voters would be justified in feeling as if it was only yesterday that they were being asked to go to the polls to decide whether to leave or remain within the European Union.

One of the candidates seeking your vote in South Swindon says today that this General Election is a rerun of that vote.

Of course he is not correct in literal terms, but there are some similarities.

The referendum campaign was characterised by the inability of either side to provide guarantees on what our future relationship with the EU would look like in the event of a leave or a remain win.

Almost one year on, the uncertainty that hangs over a series of complex negotiations that are yet to start still dominates the debate.

The Conservatives and Labour are committed to leaving the EU, they both say they want to secure the best deal for Britain, but they are divided on what that deal might look like.

The Tories have acknowledged that our departure from the single market is inevitable. Labour have not.

The Prime Minister has said she would walk away without a deal at all if the right one was not forthcoming, Jeremy Corbyn says he would not.

UKIP appear quite willing to walk away now, come what may. The party’s two Swindon candidates today talk of a “100 per cent total Brexit” and of “putting the EU to the sword”.

The Lib Dems and the Greens however haven’t given up their fight – both are in favour of going back to the public once a final deal is on the table. They would like an option to remain to be available in the event that any such vote took place.

For Leave-voting Swindon, once dubbed as one of the most Eurosceptic towns in the region, it will not be enough for people to know we are leaving. It now matters how we leave.

During the referendum campaign it was estimated that 10,000 jobs in the local area were directly linked to the EU in some way.

Major employers such as Honda, BMW, Intel and Nationwide need a secure trading environment if they are to continue to employ so many of the town’s residents.

The research councils, all of which have bases in Swindon, are inextricably linked to European funding networks and the academic community on the continent.

Our diverse communities, home to many families from the EU who have made Swindon their home, will want to understand what their future holds.

In this, our penultimate policy special, the 10 candidates on the ballot in North and South Swindon offer an insight into which of these many aspects of Brexit matters most to them:

NORTH SWINDON

JUSTIN TOMLINSON (Conservative)

"Getting the right Brexit deal will define our future: our place in the world, our economic security, and our future prosperity.

"Brexit negotiations are set to start on June 19. The choice at this election is who people would like to see at the negotiating table - Theresa May or Jeremy Corbyn.

"Our priorities include building upon existing global partnerships and alliances as well as forging new ones. We will become a global champion of free trade as well as the best place for science and innovation.

"Only Theresa May can provide the strong and stable leadership to steer us through Brexit and beyond."

MARK DEMPSEY (Labour)

"I will always put jobs and Swindon’s economy first. 

"We need to ensure that as Britain leaves the EU, we get the best possible deal for our major employers such as Honda and BMW and for the 10,000 jobs in our town that depend on EU trade – ensuring they can continue to trade with the EU free of tariffs and other barriers.

"A right wing Tory Brexit could mean tariffs being placed on the automotive sector which would be disastrous for Swindon’s economy. 

"That is why a good deal with the EU, is a vital deal for Swindon."

LIZ WEBSTER (Liberal Democrats)

"Despite continuing opposition to fox hunting, the Tory Party want to vote again on the ban, but do not believe in providing the public the opportunity to change its mind when we face the Brexit deal.

"I believed passionately our economy would be strong, our future and that of our children would be brighter, safer and more prosperous if Britain had remained in the EU. 

"Swindon voted to leave and I accept that. But that doesn’t mean I have changed what I believe.

"How will Swindon workers feel if Brexit drives out our foreign owned car plants?  We don't know what the negotiations with the EU will bring.

"We are an island nation with few natural resources.  Nevertheless, we are prosperous and our standing/influence in the world has always been high; because of the strength of our international trade; our positive and influential relations with other countries; our sense of fairness, to each other and to others less fortunate than ourselves

"So, in leaving the EU, we need to build strong and influential relations with Brussels and other European countries; the abrasive rhetoric that we hear from the Tory party will reduce our influence.

"We need to negotiate a good trade deal that protects jobs and promotes confidence amongst UK businesses; fight against a hard Brexit."

ANDY BENTLEY (Green Party)

"In Europe, Theresa May wants us to sign-up to a management buy-out without us having a chance to check the small print, with no idea about the terms and conditions she might be able to secure for us.

"I believe we should be leading in Europe, not leaving it, but if we are going to leave then I believe we should be given the chance to vote on the final deal.

"A Green referendum would also give 16 and 17 year olds the vote, making sure that they have a say over their own futures.

"EU citizens living in the UK are being used as bargaining chips by the Government. 84% of British people support letting them stay, and Greens would immediately guarantee the rights of EU citizens to remain in the UK and urgently seek reciprocal arrangements for UK citizens in the EU.

"We will fight for the Brexit deal to include retention of freedom of movement, including the rights of young people to study, work, live and travel in the EU through schemes such as Erasmus, and for the preservation of environmental protections and the principles and regulations which protect human health, animal welfare and workers’ rights."

STEVE HALDEN (UKIP)

"UKIP is still needed because we have not yet left the European Union.

"Every vote for UKIP is worth its weight in gold. The TV debate showed just how fiercely the resurgent remainer MPs are campaigning to reverse our referendum vote.

"Theresa May was a campaigner for remain so she does not understand the urgency of the situation.

"UKIP supports British manufacturing industry as the way to get us out of this economic quagmire.

"Britain has the worst trade deficit in the developed world because the EU is bad for trade.

"UKIP wants a 100 per cent total Brexit."

SOUTH SWINDON

ROBERT BUCKLAND (Conservative)

We will seek to achieve the right Brexit deal for the UK and for the EU:

1. Legal certainty and clarity

2. Control of our own laws

3. Strengthen the British Union

4. Maintain the Common Travel Area with Ireland

5. Control of Immigration

6. Rights for EU nationals in Britain, and British nationals in the EU

7. Protect workers’ rights

8. Free trade with European markets

9. New trade agreements with other countries

10. The best place for science and innovation

11. Co-operation in the fight against crime and terrorism

12. A smooth, orderly Brexit

SARAH CHURCH (Labour)

"In voting to leave the European Union, Swindon is at a crossroads where we can grasp new opportunities, but that requires an emphasis on the needs of our town, our businesses, and our public services.

"10,000 jobs in Swindon rely on access to the Single Market- I will fight to retain the benefits of that access for Swindon’s businesses to allow for continued exports to the EU.

"I will fight to ensure that EU nationals living in Swindon and working in our public services and businesses retain their existing rights so they can continue to contribute to our economy and the diversity of our town.

"I believe the UK must take a constructive, rather than a combative, approach to Brexit.

"Labour pledges to continue to work positively with the EU on important issues such as climate change, refugees and counter-terrorism - intelligence sharing is more important now than ever.

"I will also be working hard to ensure UK research is not compromised by Brexit and that the research grants we receive in Swindon are not lost.

"I will be holding the next government to account to ensure all the workplace and environmental protections enshrined in EU law are not watered down as they pass into UK legislation."

STAN PAJAK (Liberal Democrats)

"Lib Dems believe that Britain’s relationship with its neighbours is stronger as part of the European Union.

"We acknowledge the result of the referendum but there was no option on the ballot paper regarding the vital issues including trade, travel or security.

"The Conservatives have gone for a hard Brexit and we are seeing the consequences in a plummeting pound, slowing growth, Swindon’ companies such as Honda and BMW considering leaving, inflation plus a threat to the status of more than 60,000 NHS and care workers from the EU.

"That’s why we believe you should have the final say on the deal in a referendum where remaining is an option."

TALIS KIMBERLEY-FAIRBOURN (Green Party)

"Greens will work to protect freedom of movement, press to remain in the single market, and safeguard vital rights for people and the environment.

"Out of common decency we must guarantee the rights of EU citizens to remain in the UK, and pursue similar arrangements for UK citizens in the EU.

"Greens will work for a new referendum on the detail of whatever deal is eventually negotiated regarding our leaving the EU.

"If it’s not a deal that we find worthwhile and beneficial, we must be allowed the option to reject it and remain in the EU.

"The referendum polarised and divided this country more than anything I remember.

"I know Remain voters who agree that parts of the EU merit reform, and Leave voters who acknowledge at least some of the benefits of EU membership.

"I still cherish my European citizenship, and want those benefits for all my neighbours; I believe that membership of the EU makes our country’s future more hopeful and secure.

"We will campaign to safeguard jobs, uphold basic rights and put environmental protection at the heart of any future trade deals, and to closely scrutinise the terms of any final deal."

MARTIN COSTELLO (UKIP)

"Make no mistake, this election is the second EU referendum. As the only leave candidate in the constituency I am committed to ensuring we get the Brexit we voted for and no watering down.

"I aim to be one of a handful of UKIP MP’s in order to hold the government’s feet to the fire. With UKIP MEP’s in Brussels and in Parliament we can perform a ‘pincer attack’ on the EU, putting it to the sword and liberating Europe.

"Let us build a strong and positive relationship with our European neighbours and embrace our diverse cultures.

"We propose an Australian points based system for immigration so we get the skills we need, however we stress that those people who are in danger or persecuted such as refugees are most welcome – it is our duty to protect them from harm as decent humans.

"Some 167,000 EU nationals work in the health and social care. UKIP has no hesitation in guaranteeing their right to remain here, whatever the EU decides with regard to the rights of British citizens overseas."

Tomorrow, in our final policy special, we will take a look at the issue of 'growth and regeneration in Swindon'.

If you have questions that the candidates haven't been able to answer here, why not join us on June 5 for General Election Question Time.

The Swindon Advertiser has joined forces with the Wyvern Theatre to host a hustings event just a few days before the country goes to the polls.

Each of the candidates up for election will speak and take part in discussions on jobs, education, health, the economy, and Brexit.

Questions will be taken on the night, but you can also send your questions in advance by email to: questiontime@swindonadvertiser.co.uk between now and June 2.

Please mention either Swindon South or Swindon North in your email, depending on which constituency you are from.

The event will start at 7pm. Is free to attend but reserving a ticket from the Wyvern Theatre website is advised.

Visit swindontheatres.co.uk/Online/tickets-general-election-swindon-2017 to find out more.