Tommy Robinson: Young voters could stop anti-Islam activist from becoming MEP, polling data reveals

‘The youth vote will be decisive in deciding whether or not Tommy Robinson is elected,’ says campaign group Hope Not Hate

Young voters could prevent Tommy Robinson from winning seat in the European parliament later this month, according to new analysis.

Only 41 per cent of 18-to-24-year-olds say they will definitely vote in the European elections on 23 May, a YouGov poll commissioned by anti-racism group Hope Not Hate and the National Education Union (NEU) has suggested.

Hope Not Hate claims the youth vote will be “decisive” in preventing Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, winning in the North West region.

Based on low turnout in recent elections, the group estimates that the anti-Islam activist only needs 8.9 per cent of the vote to take one of the region’s seat under the proportional representation system.

The YouGov poll also shows that only 7 per cent of young people hold a favourable view of Robinson, while 45 per cent saying they have an unfavourable view.

“Young people clearly have a highly negative view of extremists candidates like Tommy Robinson, but it’s not enough to dislike him from the comfort of your sofa. If turnout is really low, he could win,” said Hope not Hate’s chief executive Nick Lowles.

“Anyone who doesn’t want that to happen needs to register to vote before next Tuesday,” he added. “It’s urgent that the main political parties engage with young people, who could make the difference between electing extremists and not.

“Just tiny swings in each region could make the difference in almost three-quarters of the Euro seats.”

Robinson hit by a milkshake during campaign stop (Twitter)

Robinson remains an adviser to Ukip on grooming gangs and prisons, but is standing as an independent candidate in the North West region.

Police are investigating a street brawl that broke out during one of Robinson’s campaign stops in Warrington on Thursday, after a counter-protester said she had her nose broken.

Video showed he had a milkshake thrown over him for the second time in two days.

Robinson is a former member of the British National Party (BNP) and was a founding member of the English Defence League (EDL).

The YouGov polling shows 43 per cent of young people intend to vote for Labour at the European election, followed by the Greens on 15 per cent and the Lib Dems on 11 per cent.

The Conservatives and Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party trail on 10 per cent and 8 per cent respectively. More than two-thirds of young people – 69 per cent – have an unfavourable view of Mr Farage, compared to 19 per cent who view him favourably.