Making every vote count in the battle of the economists
The Independent|June 26, 2024
Labour’s Alistair Strathern tells Archie Mitchell he’s winning the support of life-long Tories in the market town of Hitchin
Archie Mitchell
Making every vote count in the battle of the economists

In the picturesque Hertfordshire market town of Hitchin, the Tory and Labour general election campaigns have been neatly summed up. Contesting the seat for Labour is 34-year-old exBank of England economist Alistair Strathern, who proudly describes himself as an acolyte of “Sir Keir Starmer’s changed Labour Party”.

Hoping to hold the seat for the Conservatives is 38-year-old former HSBC executive Bim Afolami, the Treasury economic secretary elected to parliament in 2017. Leaflets for Mr Afolami’s campaign, seen by The Independent on a visit to the constituency, show he is hoping to win as a strong local champion for the area. But voters spoken to by this paper said the minister’s close association with the Conservatives nationally, as he is often wheeled out to defend the party on broadcast rounds, has tarnished his reputation in the area.

Mr Strathern has his own challenges to overcome. Elected in the Mid Bedfordshire by-election to replace Nadine Dorries in 2023, he was criticised for standing in this general election for Hitchin, with news outlets at the time describing the move as a “chicken run”. A boundary change meant his house, where he lives with his partner, was actually within the new constituency.

When The Independent met Mr Strathern in the middle of a sunny day of door-knocking he talked about his time representing Mid Bedfordshire and his plans for the area if he is re-elected. Mr Strathern said one of the biggest differences after taking that seat for Labour for the first time since it was created in 1918 was the area having a visible MP.

Esta historia es de la edición June 26, 2024 de The Independent.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición June 26, 2024 de The Independent.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE INDEPENDENTVer todo
Hometown glory awaits for Liverpool's next big fighter
The Independent

Hometown glory awaits for Liverpool's next big fighter

In a year when truly giant fights have dominated the boxing landscape, Nick Ball has been in two of the very best and is a genuine world champion.

time-read
2 minutos  |
October 01, 2024
Captain sinks to new low leaving Ten Hag all at sea
The Independent

Captain sinks to new low leaving Ten Hag all at sea

The defence calls the Tottenham No 10. “Even [James] Maddison when he gets up, he said it was a foul but never a red card,” insisted Bruno Fernandes.

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 01, 2024
Guardiola's troubles stretch beyond absence of Rodri
The Independent

Guardiola's troubles stretch beyond absence of Rodri

Manchester City began without one of the outstanding individuals of last season.

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 01, 2024
Arteta returns to the French club that ‘ignited' his career
The Independent

Arteta returns to the French club that ‘ignited' his career

It was an approach that Mikel Arteta almost immediately dismissed, although there was a moment’s consideration due to a previous connection.

time-read
4 minutos  |
October 01, 2024
AHEAD OF THE GAME
The Independent

AHEAD OF THE GAME

The uncompromising banking drama Industry’ is raising the stakes. It’s smart, seedy, and offers a breath of fresh air in a television anseap full of superheroes, writes Nick Hilton

time-read
6 minutos  |
October 01, 2024
LET'S GET PHYSICAL
The Independent

LET'S GET PHYSICAL

Jilly Cooper said she thinks running has taken the place of more intimate activities. Helen Coffey asks if she’s right and whether exercise is really to blame for our loss of libido

time-read
4 minutos  |
October 01, 2024
'I think that human lives have become a lot cheaper'
The Independent

'I think that human lives have become a lot cheaper'

In his new book Resolution’, Irvine Welsh proves his writing has lost none of its bite. He speaks to Chris Harvey about how identity politics has played into the hands of the wealthy

time-read
10 minutos  |
October 01, 2024
Third British judge leaves role in Hong Kong court
The Independent

Third British judge leaves role in Hong Kong court

A third British judge has left a top Hong Kong Court amid growing calls for them to step down over a China-imposed crackdown on dissent.

time-read
2 minutos  |
October 01, 2024
Putin is trying to ‘erase' Ukraine, tennis star warns
The Independent

Putin is trying to ‘erase' Ukraine, tennis star warns

Russian president Vladimir Putin is waging war to try and wipe Ukraine off the map, the country’s top tennis player has warned.

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 01, 2024
Rat infestation threatening priceless museum artefacts
The Independent

Rat infestation threatening priceless museum artefacts

A rat infestation is threatening one of India’s finest collections of royal artefacts at the country’s own Albert Hall – now a museum in the Rajasthani city of Jaipur.

time-read
2 minutos  |
October 01, 2024