IT has long been known that repetition is the secret to turning lies into hardened truths. One fashionable theory which through continual affirmation has been allowed to acquire a veneer of truthfulness is the idea that British politics in the 21st century is uniquely polluted by bitterness and animosity.

A strong case could certainly be made for the suggestion that politicians should air their inevitable disagreements in a somewhat more respectful manner. But the fact remains that a climate of sometimes venomous hostility is nothing new.

Labour MP Laura Pidcock’s revelation that she could never be friends with a Tory pales in comparison to Nye Bevan’s assertion that members of the opposition were “lower than vermin”.

And even a cursory flip through biographies of Gladstone and Disraeli will be enough to give the reader a memorable lesson in how to play the man rather than the ball.

But however hateful the current political climate may be, two parish councillors in Stratton are doing things a little differently.

Roger Smith and Barrie Jennings are two highly-respected members of the parish and for the remaining two weeks until polling day they will be trying to convince their neighbours to promote them from parish councillors to borough councillors.

Explaining why he decided to stand, Barrie, in the Labour corner, said: “I get something like 30 or 40 people contacting me every month with concerns and 90 per cent of those issues involve the borough. I think I would be able to help people much better if I were a borough councillor.”

Roger, who is fighting for the Conservatives, agreed.

He tells me he has been a parish councillor for around 10 or 12 years and that when he talks to residents, the issues people raise are not parish council issues.

“Both Barrie and I want to do the right thing for our community and the borough council has a much larger impact on people lives than the parish does.”

Residents in the St Margaret and South Marston ward have in recent weeks been flooded with leaflets from both parties, which are confident they can win.

One of the many things on which Roger and Barrie firmly and happily agree is the biggest challenge facing the ward over the coming years – namely, the 8,000-home New Eastern Villages development and the inevitable increase in traffic that will likely accompany it.

Barrie described the issue as “a real hot potato” and Roger explained: “With 8,000 homes there will be an increase in traffic and we can’t leave things as we are. The White Hart roundabout needs to increase its capacity and we have to ensure the infrastructure is in place to cope.”

One particular concern surrounding the NEV project is the future use of what will be known as the Great Stall Bridge.

Plans are currently circulating to make the £15m bridge accessible only to public service vehicles and pedestrians. It is thought that by closing it to traffic it will “reduce conflict” with the A420 and with traffic coming from the White Hart junction.

But to ensure traffic moves more freely, people in Stratton have suggested the bridge be open to all motorists, a position with which both candidates wholeheartedly agree.

Roger said: “The bridge should definitely be open to everyone. If you are going to spend £15m it needs to be used as fully and effectively as possible.”

Barrie agreed: “The increase in traffic should be shared across the whole area. It has to be open to the general public.”

Councillor in Covingham and Dorcan, however, take the opposite view, fearful that opening the bridge to all traffic will cause severe tailbacks right across the ward.

Moving on to matters that affect people all over the town, Barrie shared his “disappointment” that children’s centres had been closed and firmly backed Labour’s pledge to reopen them.

He also touched on other issues that resonate with voters. “This austerity is killing us,” he said with conviction.

“But even within austerity, things can be managed better. Young people in Swindon are being hit with high rents, and unless mum and dad have money in the bank it is very difficult to get a mortgage.”

The solution: “We must build more council houses and lower rents and everything else will become more affordable.”

For Roger, social care and the huge percentage of the council’s budget which goes towards it is a circle which badly needs to be squared.

He said: “It’s not something that grabs the headlines. Everybody likes to talk about traffic and issues like that, but adult and children’s social care is huge. It’s a relatively small percentage of the population that fits into that category but they require an awful lot of work and attention.

“I think at some point there needs to be more emphasis on families taking more responsibility, rather than just assuming the council will do it.”

Describing his political outlook, Roger said: “I’m somewhere in the middle but slightly to the right. The public sector is hugely important. Society needs the public sector as much as the private, but in order to fund the public sector you need a healthy private sector, and it’s about striking that balance”

Barrie described himself as “as economist and account” by nature and expressed his fondness for European social democracy. “There is a role for the state in essential services and you have got to look after your population.”

Both are hugely passionate about the ward and are thunderously excited about the prospect of being able to extend further help to their fellow residents from Euclid Street.

“We have an awful lot in common and both want the best for the parish,” said Barrie.

This friendly and cordial way of doing politics was also noted by Roger: “Unlike some campaigns we haven’t gone negative. I can’t see Project Fear working in Stratton.”