With just 36 hours to go until polling stations across the country open, an online poll of 1,075 Island Echo readers has shown great support for the Green Party candidate Vix Lowthion when asked ‘Who will become the Island’s next MP?’.
In total 6 candidates are battling it out to become the Isle of Wight’s future Member of Parliament in what is set to be one of the closest elections in over a decade.
Although the Island has remained Conservative since 2001 – and has always been either Conservative or Liberal – there is an apparent growing support for the Green Party.
At the same time as bookmakers slash the odds of a Green MP on the Isle of Wight from 20/1 to 10/1, Island Echo’s poll of 1,075 people shows a 32% support for Vix Lowthion. That result is closely followed by 28% for Labour’s Julian Critchley and 20% for Nick Belfitt of the Liberal Democrats.
Bookies favourite Bob Seely, the Conservative candidate for the Isle of Wight, has gained just 16% of the votes cast by Island Echo readers. However, many believe the Conservative vote is from the older population who do not participate in online polls. Independent candidate Julie Jones-Evans gained 3% of the votes and UKIP’s Daryll Pitcher just 2%.
Whilst the results represent just 1.52% of those who voted in the 2015 General Election and therefore are not an accurate representation of the Island as a whole, it does demonstrate the differing views between younger and older generations – or in another way, those who use and interact with digital mediums and those who do not.
Who will become the Island’s next MP?
Island Echo online poll of 1,075 readers
Interestingly, an Isle of Wight County Press poll of around 720 people produced similar results with Vix Lowthion gaining 40% of the votes, Julian Critchley 27% and Nick Belfitt 18%.
Island Echo will be LIVE from the count in Cowes on Thursday night and into Friday morning, bringing you that all important declaration at around 03:00. You will be able to follow live updates at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/election.
