Unless people in the North-West turn out and vote, Robinson could be representing them in Brussels
An anti-fascist group has warned that, unless people in the North-West register and turn out to vote in the European elections, far-right activist ‘Tommy Robinson’ could be elected to the European Parliament.
Hope Not Hate says its polling shows that just 9% of Brits have a favourable view of Tommy Robinson but warns that, if turnout is low, that could be enough to get him elected.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is running as an independent candidate for the North-West of England region.
Only 9% of those in the North-West have a positive impression of him but he only needs 8.9% of the vote to be elected.
Hope Not Hate’s polling suggests that those who voted UKIP in 2015 are more motivated to vote than the general public, which could help Robinson get elected.
Hope not Hate said: “It would seem that a low turnout would benefit right-wing populist and far right parties, as well as Stephen Lennon (aka Tommy Robinson), whose supporters are likely to be very motivated to vote.”
Turnout in European elections is usually much lower than in general elections.
In 2009, Nick Griffin was elected as a British National Party MEP in the North-West after winning 8% of the vote. The turnout in this election was just 34.5%.
The European elections will take place on 23 May and readers can register to vote here.
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15 Responses to “Low turnout could get Tommy Robinson elected”
nhsgp
A consequence of PR.
John Doherty
So exposing Muslim rape gangs who torture and rape young girls is Islamophobic! You people need to wake up and smell the bacon. The Right aren’t rising; it’s the Left that has collapsed.
Eric Walker
Tommy Robinson is not his real name. Under what name could he stand?
It doesn't add up...
If you keep campaigning against a no-hoper you’ll let in a Conservative and a Brexit Party candidate in place of getting a third seat in the NW.
Robinson is going nowhere in the election. Probably half the people who might vote for him will tick the UKIP box instead – and they won’t get a seat either.
jqmark
Hope not hate are idiots. there campaign will make it more likely he gets elected by highlighting he stands a chance. most voters wont understand the system and prob will vote Brexit or Ukip or Eng dem rather than robinson or just not vote. unless you tell them you think he can win. Another thing to note is that he is on his own rather than a list i think that most people would be drawn to the ukip list so no he wont win unless Hope not hate motivate his voters to vote. Negative campaigns dont work. people on the left should campaign positively for lab or the greens as where there heart lies and ignore hope not hate and this counter productive campaign.