Your Election 15

UK General Election Coverage from Bournemouth University

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Snippets
  • Dorset
  • Features
  • Opinions
  • Analysis
  • Multimedia
  • Live
    • Your Election 15 rehearsal – Live blog
    • BBC leaders’ Question Time – Live blog
    • idebate – Live blog
    • BU Politics society Question Time – Live blog
    • Opposition leaders’ debate – Live blog
    • Leaders’ debate – Live blog
    • Official election 2015 campaign launches – Live Blog
  • Editors Blog
  • How to vote

Osborne targets Hove in bid to attract young voters

April 1, 2015 by Robyn Sirs-Davies Leave a Comment

Hove and Brighton road sign

George Osborne planned to visit Hove, East Sussex in a bid to attract younger voters through Pizza Express initiative. Image: Simon Carey

The Conservatives are the first to make their play for political trendsetter Hove only days after the dissolution of Parliament.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, took the campaign trail to Hove, East Sussex yesterday to announce an employment pledge of 2,500 jobs with Pizza Express.

The minister was joined by local Tory candidate Graham Cox in the announcement.

Since 1979, the party that has won Hove has gone on to win the overall election, and in 2010 the vote share was closer to the national result than anywhere else in the country.

It is no surprise, therefore, that the constituency is receiving particular attention so early on in the race.

Interestingly, Osborne’s employment pledge involves a widespread apprenticeship scheme with Pizza Express, marking an unusual attempt from the Tories to reach out to younger voters.

However, with Green Brighton just down the road and recent polls showing the Tories trailing 24% to the Green party’s 26%, and Labour’s 37% in student polls, suggests that this move might be too late.

The Tory constituency faces a close battle between the two main parties, after former MP Mike Weatherley decided against standing this term.

An Ashcroft poll at the end of 2014 showed Labour candidate Peter Kyle leading 37% to new Conservative candidate Graham Cox’s 34%.

Kyle’s self-proclaimed “modest ambition” to visit every doorstep in his electorate appears to be earning him respect with the locals.

Osborne was due to arrive in Hove by train but was forced to change his plans after disruptions to Brighton rail services – a familiar problem for locals and ironically, one which the Brighton Greens want to fix with the renationalisation of train services if re-elected on May 7th.

Filed Under: National, News Tagged With: conservative, george osborne, Graham Cox, green party, Hove, Labour, Sussex

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories

Nigel Farage fails to secure Thanet South

May 8, 2015 By Steph Butcher Leave a Comment

UKIP leader Nigel Farage is expected to step down following his defeat in Thanet South. He had … [Read More...]

Ed Miliband resigns as Labour leader

May 8, 2015 By Emma Woodley Leave a Comment

Ed Miliband has announce his resignation after a crushing defeat for Labour at the polls during … [Read More...]

Ed Balls loses Morley and Outwood in a terrible night for Labour

May 8, 2015 By Jeffrey Buchanan Leave a Comment

Former Labour Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls has lost his seat in Morley and Outwood after a full … [Read More...]

Published on Wednesday, April 1st, 2015 at 11:34 am

Last modified: Wednesday, April 1st, 2015 at 11:54 am

Category: National, News.

Share

Share

About

Image of Bournemouth University logo

Your Election 15 a website run by students of Bournemouth University

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Popular

  • SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon shone in ITV's seven-way leaders' debate No clear debate winner but Sturgeon tops YouGov poll
  • Bournemouth East hustings descends into chaos
  • Sturgeon criticises Miliband in Question Time Q&A
  • Cameron comes out on top in leaders’ Question Time according to poll
  • Poole hustings photo Poole hustings marred by candidate no-shows

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in