There are no distractions for voters in Priory Vale.

The only two parties to put up a full slate of candidates – and therefore the only two parties with a realistic chance of taking control at Euclid Street, the Conservatives and Labour – are in a straight fight for the seat.

The ward in the west of Swindon is one of two where there are only two candidates, the other being Lydiard and Freshbrook.

It is on the far western edge of the borough an features modern housing estates, part of the expansion of Swindon over the last 20 to 30 years.

That expansion and its effects are still issues in the area. The housing area in the ward is bound by the railway line, with a large green area Mouldon Hill Country Park offering residents easy access to the outdoors and nature.

But both main parties are committed to building many more houses in Swindon – major developments are concentrated in the south and east of the borough, but the estates of west Swindon were built with plenty of smaller green patches which might be thought ideal for smaller infill developments, not least by the council’s own housing company.

The car-centric nature of Swindon’s expansion is also thrown into relief by the dual carriageway of Thamesdown Drive which cuts through the ward, separating its northern part from the lower and forming the ward’s boundary as it heads west.

Traffic and speeding and difficulties for children crossing that road are all issues on the doorstep.

The lack of other parties means this ward can be seen as a bellwether for the real state of the two main parties in Swindon – with no UKIP candidate to attract unhappy Leave voters away from the Conservatives, and no Green or Liberal Democrat to offer something to left of centre voters and take them away from Labour.

But that must be seen in the context that the ward has always returned Conservative candidates. The sitting councillor, Toby Elliott, who is stepping down, was elected along with two other Conservatives when the ward was first created in 2012. Before that the area had been a solidly blue one.

In 2015 Coun Elliott was re-elected handsomely with 60 per cent of the vote and a majority of more than 2,000 over the Labour candidate.

Labour was second again in 2016 and 2018, but they were still easy enough wins for Conservative councillors Malcolm Davies and Emma Faramarzi.

The party’s candidate Vinay Manro will be hoping that solid base and his status as a Haydon Wick parish councillor will help him retain that advantage.

Ravikumar Venkatesh might hope discontent with the national party might keep many previously loyal Tory voters at home, while he picks up votes from Green and Lib Dem supporters.

It will be fascinating to see how the parties face off in a ward where there is no hiding place.

MEET THE CANDIDATES:

Vinay Manro (Conservative)

“I am delighted and proud to have been selected as the Conservative candidate for the Priory Vale ward for the upcoming Swindon Borough Council elections, working alongside Justin Tomlinson MP and Councillors Emma Faramarzi and Malcolm Davies.

“Our local area is important to me as resident, a parent with two children who attend Orchid Vale School, and as a Haydon Wick parish councillor.

“I have already delivered improvements to the area with the Better Broadband to North Swindon team and with my work as a Haydon Wick parish councillor, where I have worked hard to ensure the local area is well maintained and kept clean.”

Ravi Venkatesh (Labour)

“I am Ravi, Labour candidate for Priory Vale ward in the local elections on May 2. I run a successful IT consultancy providing solutions globally.

“After interacting with many residents it’s quite evident now that present councillors are not living up to the expectations of the Priory Vale residents.

“Amongst the issues highlighted on the doorstep are basic services like doctor’s appointments, primary and secondary school problems, anti-social behaviour, burglaries, Thamesdown Drive speeding and parking.

“The burgeoning council debt has had a negative impact on local services for children, youth persons with disability and senior citizens.

“If this continues the town faces an uncertain future.

“As your elected representative, I will be your voice in the council.

“I assure you that I will put service first, seeking to solve the local problems, your current councillors have failed to resolve.”