The potential of older voters to swing crucial marginal seats in the General Election cannot be under-estimated by the main parties as they begin battle. This clear warning comes as we release a hard-hitting ‘grey power’ constituency league-table.   

Published today‚ Friday 15 April‚ the table identifies the top 100 marginal seats under contest‚ the majorities held and the number of older voters who live in them.

The three main parties may have woken up to the ‘grey vote’ but no candidate can afford to be complacent. Their campaigns must clearly address the concerns of older voters if they want to win their valuable support. Latest Age Concern polling¹ has revealed a massive 8 out of 10 (83%) over 65s in all constituencies said they would definitely vote in a General Election compared to less than half this number (39%) of 18-24 year olds. At the same time‚ despite their commitment to vote‚ as many as 2.6 million older people are undecided about who to vote for on May 5.

Given these facts‚ the table reveals the electoral power of older voters.       

A number of senior politicians are fighting key marginal seats where winning the support of older voters will be crucial to their success;

Dr Stephen Ladyman‚ Minister with responsibility for older people’s services‚ holds Thanet South by 1792 votes. 16‚784 older voters live there.  
 
Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin has held onto a majority of just 1414 in his Dorset West constituency.  The votes of 21‚871 over 65s are up for grabs.    

Sandra Gidley‚ Liberal Democrat spokesperson for older people holds the seat of Romsey by 2370 votes. More than 15‚000 older voters live there. 

Gordon Lishman‚ Director General of Age Concern England said:

“During the next three weeks every candidate must make it a priority to convince older voters that they and their parties will deliver a better deal for older people. Politically powerful by their sheer numbers and commitment to vote‚ older voters will not be sold short.

“This enormously powerful section of the electorate wants long term commitments‚ rather than short term sweeteners‚ on the NHS‚ pensions‚ care‚ public services and crime. There is quite simply ‘no margin for error’ in these vulnerable seats. Those candidates and parties who listen to older people will be rewarded with valuable votes.”

Notes to Editors:

1 ICM interviewed a random sample of 2‚030 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 2 and 6 March 2005. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information can be found at http://www.icmresearch.co.uk/.

 

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