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Young London wants Cameron as PM and Clarkson as Mayor
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor15.04.09
YOUNG Londoners back David Cameron by almost two to one to become Britain's next prime minister - and favour either Jeremy Clarkson or Sir Alan Sugar to be Mayor of London, a new poll reveals.
Many 16- to 24-year-olds are more politically committed than commonly assumed but most believe their views are ignored, the survey also found.
The YouGov poll for London arts venue and charity The Roundhouse, revealed exclusively to the Evening Standard, shows young people in the capital are largely optimistic about their futures. But just over half (51 per cent) fear they will lose their job in the recession, and 69 per cent disagreed with the statement "London's streets are generally getting safer for young people".
In a finding which will delight the Tories, Mr Cameron was chosen by 35 per cent of young voters as their choice for premier. Gordon Brown and Nick Clegg garnered 16 and 13 per cent of votes respectively. A quarter prefer none of the current party leaders.
On the mayoralty, there were surprising results. Business guru and The Apprentice star Sir Alan and Top Gear presenter Clarkson were the top choice for City Hall, on 16 per cent each. More young Londoners think the Mayor should be someone independent rather than a party politician.
Many felt their friends, family and teachers were "more inspiring" than celebrities. Three quarters think politics should be a key part of the school curriculum, and nearly four out of five felt they were not listened to by those in power.
The poll was conducted as part of Turning Point, a three-day music festival from 8 to 10 May, run by young people. Marcus Davey Roundhouse chief executive, said: "Young Londoners can achieve great things, but as our poll shows, too many still don't feel they have the opportunity to do so."
Reader views (29)
I'm in my late 30s but I'd vote for Cameron, Clarkson and Sugar over Brown and Johnson any day.
- A Cowdrey, UK
The youth of today also think that Auschwitz is a beer and have identified photographs of Salvador Dali and Albert Einstein as being Hitler! Says it all really.
- Jc, London
I'm so glad I don't live in London. Who would do business with such a dunce-like population?
- Mark, Milan, Italy
Alex C: assumptions are dangerous... I am very much in the private sector!
Marianne: (I didn't actually pose a question!)I am pleased - and somewhat envious! - that you are enjoying a retirement in a civilised country, but my point is about VOTING in this country!
- Rob, Canary Wharf
How many young londoners? I am nervous about polls.
Anthony Perry
- Anthony Perry, London
"Business guru and The Apprentice star Sir Alan Sugar and Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson were the top choice for City Hall,"...and the next line says that "Many felt their friends, family and teachers were 'more inspiring' than celebrities". So it's not just older people who give inconsistent answers to pollsters. The two statements or conclusions are at odds. How many of the respondents could name one policy of either of these characters in the event that they stumbled into City Hall as Mayor? The only reason they have been chosen as "frontrunners" is that they are "celebrities", even if the young voters themselves do not grasp that that is their reason - it's because they are known. That was indeed why Boris Johnson was really the only candidate the Tories could choose, unless Cilla Black, Vernon Kay or Shilpa Shetty had come along and rescued them and thrown their hats in the ring. It had to be someone from the telly who was well known for doing something other than politics - the only way a politician could be chosen in an opinion poll like this one, by the way, is if they have appeared on a reality tv show trying to remove live snakes out of their underpants while singing the Laughing Policeman.
- Damian Hockney, London, UK
Well, we know what young sun readers are like, don't we?
- James Hennessy, london england
We already have an amusing mayor doing a great job so leave Clarkson on Top Gear playing the clown. I do not think he is destined for politics given his weak performances on Question Time. As for the yoofs voting for Cameron whatever happened to teenage rebellion or has the BBC made it so dangerous to admit your a tory that these are the most daring group of kids the country has ever seen.
- Stuz Graz, Wimbledon, England
Clarkson for PM, we'll all be driving around in nice cars.
- Malc, London,England
jeremy clarkson said in 2000 'I can't imagine what a mayor of londonwould do' but if he was to become p.m tell me before as it'll be the day i emigrate to new zealand
- Jack, london
If there really are any morons that would like to see Tory posh boy and 'Bandwagon Billy' aka Cameron in no. 10, with the puerile and irritating Clarkson as Mayor, let's all just be grateful that none of them could spell 'x' anyway.
- Ruth, Hounslow
If 35% of youngsters want David Cameron, that mean 65% do not. Luckily the older people of this country have a bit more sence. We do not want a fluffy PR man, we want a strong leader to bring this country back from the mess we are in. And that means it won't be anyone in partliament.
- Sylvia Howard, Epping Essex
Lets have clarkson as pm cant do any worse then gordon clown and donut darling have done.
- Darran, S/LINCS
Rob, I was born in the UK which makes me a UK citizen. Additionally I spent the majority of my working life there and am still a UK tax-payer. Next question?
- Marianne, SW France
Bless the youngsters - Giving Brown 16% - Ah the youth of today. Rob in Canary Wharf - As a public sector worker, you must have moved to the left since your bank was nationalised. No wonder you dislike Clarkson.
- Alex C, London
"Progress is an illusion" - it certainly has been under 12 years of Labour government.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
Clarkson has put in writing his view on him being Mayor of London, it's in his most recent book of his writings from the Sunday Times. Basically he says that his priority as Mayor would be to abolish the job itself since he sees it as unnecessary and irrelevant.
Probably therefore he is unlikely to want to stand, which is a shame since we need someone with common sense on matters such as transport and the environment rather than any more ecopanic from those to whom the environmental debate is a religious quest regardless of the facts or any scientific opinion they don't agree with.
- Matt, London, UK
Rob - What environmental progress? I bet you believe in man made global warming, fairies at the bottom of the garden, and burning witches.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke
@ Keith:
yes but think how much funnier the credit crunch wouldve been so far
- Jennifer, London
Clarkson as mayor?? Cameron as PM?
Proof indeed that Londoners are the most stupid people in the UK.
- Anthony, Esher, Surrey
To Marianne in France: the fact that non-UK citizens vote in e-polls on UK matters just illustrates how pointless and worthless they are in gauging opinion in this country! But thank you for showing an interest!
Good to see that Mr Cameron's message is getting through, but hw totally absurd to suggest Jeremy Clarkson in ANY sort of public position! The man's erm... 'xenophobia' (let's go no further than that) shines through his every insulting statement on Germans, Koreans, Scots.... not to mention his sheer reckless disregard for speed laws and 21st century society in general.
What do you think those views do in trying to maintain and attract inward foreign investment in our city? Come on, people: engage your brains, not your Top Gear!
- Rob, Canary Wharf
Anyone in this age-bracket is too young to have any real memories of a Conservative Government - that's why history just repeats itself over and over again and why we never learn the lessons of history. Progress is an illusion because any gains made by a change of administration are always reversed when voters inevitably decide they're sick of the current incumbents, and that it's time to give the other guys a go. Those over 34 have learnt this the hard way and stopped believing the lie that politics is about improving their lives rather than lining the pockets and bolstering the egos of those in power at any given time.
- Lindsay, london
Oh quelle surprise, Keith Price is back from his Easter holiday from Central Office.
Can I remind everyone there were over 40,000 signatures on a e-poll, requesting Mr Clarkson for PM - never mind London Mayor? ... and yes, I DID vote!
- Marianne, SW France
No it doesn't.
- T O B E, London, UK.
I hate to think of Jerermy Clackson in any position of political power. He'd undo any environmental progress that has been made within his first day.
- Rob, Northampton, UK
Are these the same Londoners who thought it was a good idea to elect a clown as Mayor? Then I think er can safely leave choice of PM and Government to thepeople of Britain and not its capital city
- Keith Price, Luton, England
"Mayor should be someone independent rather than a party politician"
I agree, but I doubt it will happen.
Nice too see Clarkson got a mention.
- David, Abbey Wood SE2
Jeremy Clarkson all the way!
- Kate, London
"nearly four out of five felt they were not listened to by those in power".
Well let me disappoint you. THAT doesen't change as you get older!
- David Moon, Seaford, East Sussex, UK
