Endorsements in the 2015 United Kingdom general election

Various newspapers, organisations and individuals endorsed parties or individual candidates for the 2015 general election

Endorsements for parties

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Newspapers and magazines

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National daily newspapers

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Newspaper Main endorsement Secondary endorsement(s) Notes Link
Daily Express UKIP Conservative Endorsed the UK Independence Party. [1]
Daily Mail Conservative Party UKIP Supported a Conservative government. Encouraged anti-Labour tactical voting. [2]
Liberal Democrats
Daily Mirror

(& other Reach plc owned papers)

Labour Liberal Democrats Endorsed a Labour government. Supported tactically voting LibDem against the Conservatives in marginal seats. [3] [4]
Daily Telegraph Conservative None [5]
Financial Times Conservative Liberal Democrats Endorsed a Conservative-led coalition. [6]
The Guardian Labour Party Green Endorsed the Labour Party. Also supported Green and Liberal Democrat candidates where they were the main opposition to the Conservatives. [7]
Liberal Democrats
The Independent Liberal Democrats Conservative Endorsed a second term of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition. [8] [9]
Metro None
Morning Star Labour Communist Endorsed the Labour Party in opposition to the Conservative Party. [10]
News Line Workers Revolutionary Labour Endorsed a vote for the seven Workers Revolutionary Party candidates, Labour elsewhere. [11]
The Sun Conservative Liberal Democrats Supported voting for the Liberal Democrats in 14 Labour/LibDem marginals. [12]
The Times Conservative Liberal Democrats Endorsed a second term of Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition. [13]

National weekly newspapers

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Newspaper Main endorsement Secondary endorsement(s) Notes Link
New Worker Labour None [14]
Weekly Worker Labour Minor left-wing and far-left parties. Endorsed 39 left-wing Labour candidates. The paper also supported Left Unity, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, Communist Party of Britain, Respect Party, Socialist Labour Party, Socialist Party of Great Britain, Workers Revolutionary Party, Class War Party, Socialist Equality Party, Republican Socialists and Communist League. [15]

National monthly newspapers

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Newspaper Main endorsement Secondary endorsement(s) Notes Link
Peace News Green Labour Endorsed Greens and left-wing Labour candidates. Supported candidates who commit to the '2050 decarbonisation goal and/or to not replacing Trident'. [16]

National Sunday newspapers

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Newspaper Party endorsed Notes Link
Independent on Sunday None Newspaper stated in an editorial that it was not advising readers how to vote in 2015. [17]
Mail on Sunday Conservative [18]
The Observer Labour [19]
Sunday Express UKIP [20]
Sunday Mirror Labour [21]
Sunday People Labour [22]
Sunday Telegraph Conservative [23]
Sunday Times Conservative [24]

News magazines

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Magazine Party endorsed Notes Link
Economist Conservative Endorsed a Conservative-led coalition. [25]

Political magazines

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Magazine Party endorsed Notes Link
New Statesman Labour [26]
Spectator Conservative [27]

English newspapers

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Newspaper Party endorsed Notes Link
City A.M. Conservative [28]
Express & Star Conservative [29] Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
Liverpool Echo Labour
London Evening Standard Conservative Endorsed the Conservative Party, and selective tactical voting for the Liberal Democrats. [30]
Manchester Evening News None
Southern Daily Echo Conservative Urged voters to support the Conservative Party with the exception of those where Liberal Democrats were in lead.
The Yorkshire Post Conservative Endorsed a continuation of the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition. [31]
Liberal Democrats

Northern Irish newspapers

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Newspaper Party endorsed Notes Link
Belfast Telegraph None Encouraged everyone in Northern Ireland to exercise their voting rights. [32]
Irish News None
The News Letter None Backed unionist candidates. [33] Archived 26 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine

Scottish newspapers

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Newspaper Party endorsed Notes Link
Daily Record Labour [34]
The Herald None Endorsed no political parties. [35]
The National SNP [36]
Scotland on Sunday None Urged voters to 'vote for the party that comes closest to what you believe in'. [37]
The Scotsman None Warned against tactical voting. [38]
The Scottish Sun SNP [39]
Sunday Herald SNP [40]
Daily Mail
Mail on Sunday
Conservative Praise in one article for SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, but otherwise anti-SNP and tactical for Tories. [41]

Individuals

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Animal Welfare Party

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Conservative Party

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Green Party of England and Wales

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Labour Party

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Liberal Democrats

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Scottish National Party

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Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

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UK Independence Party

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Organisations

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Conservative Party

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Labour Party

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Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

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UKIP

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Parties

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Some parties which only contest elections in certain parts of the United Kingdom have endorsed political parties in areas they don't contest

Endorsements for individual candidates

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Danny Alexander, Liberal Democrat candidate for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey

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Ed Balls, Labour Party candidate for Morley and Outwood

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Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat candidate for Sheffield Hallam

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Oliver Coppard, Labour Party candidate for Sheffield Hallam

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Andrew Dismore, Labour Party candidate for Hendon

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Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat candidate for Hornsey and Wood Green

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Mike Freer, Conservative Party candidate for Finchley and Golders Green

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Andrew George, Liberal Democrat candidate for St Ives

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Naomi Long, Alliance Party candidate for Belfast East

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Caroline Lucas, Green candidate for Brighton Pavilion

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Maajid Nawaz, Liberal Democrat candidate for Hampstead and Kilburn

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Derek Wall, Green candidate for Windsor

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Tom Watson, Labour candidate for West Bromwich East

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  • Hugh Grant, actor[65]

Hywel Williams, Plaid Cymru candidate for Arfon

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Jenn Selby (6 May 2015). "Piers Morgan declares his political endorsement ahead of the general election". The Independent. London.
  2. ^ Michael Bloomberg (29 April 2015). "Let David Cameron Finish the Job". Bloomberg.
  3. ^ Guardian sport (10 October 2014). "Sol Campbell ready 'to have a conversation' with Conservative Party". The Guardian.
  4. ^ a b Patrick Wintour (1 April 2015). "Labour dismisses pro-Tory letter from business leaders as party political stunt". The Guardian.
  5. ^ a b Ben Quinn (1 April 2015). "More than 100 business leaders sign letter backing Tories". The Guardian.
  6. ^ a b c Peter Dominiczak (1 April 2015). "General Election 2015: Labour threatens Britain's recovery, say 100 business chiefs". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  7. ^ Helen Nianias (26 April 2015). "Andrew Lloyd Webber: Phantom of the Opera writer mocked after issuing a warning about Ed Miliband and Nicola Sturgeon". The Independent. London.
  8. ^ George Monbiot (28 January 2015). "Follow your convictions – this could be the end of the politics of fear". The Guardian.
  9. ^ Jack Monroe (19 March 2015). "I didn't leave the Labour party – it left me". The Guardian.
  10. ^ Grace Petrie (17 March 2015). "Elections, Tours, and Nailing your Colours to the Mast". Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  11. ^ Peter Tatchell. "Greens have best policies for LGBTs & everyone". Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  12. ^ Jon Stone (8 April 2015). "Duncan Bannatyne says he'll vote Labour because of Ed Miliband's 'courage' in taking on non-dom tax status". The Independent. London.
  13. ^ a b c d e Patrick Wintour (1 April 2015). "Labour offers counterpunch to Daily Telegraph business letter". The Guardian.
  14. ^ "Watch: Comedian Jo Brand endorses Labour in a party election broadcast". New Statesman. 16 April 2015.
  15. ^ Emergency: VOTE To Start Revolution - Russell Brand The Trews (E312). Russell Brand. 4 May 2015. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ a b c d Vincent Moss (2 May 2015). "General Election 2015: Paul O'Grady and Ronnie O'Sullivan among celebs backing Ed Miliband". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  17. ^ Rowena Mason (3 May 2015). "Steve Coogan urges a vote for Labour in 'knife-edge' election". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  18. ^ "Celebrity endorsement for Labour". The Belfast Telegraph. 4 April 2015.
  19. ^ a b Rowena Mason (31 March 2015). "Hobbit star Martin Freeman appears in Labour election broadcast". The Guardian.
  20. ^ a b c d e Jim Pickard (10 July 2014). "Celebrities line up to back Labour party fundraiser". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 7 May 2015.
  21. ^ "Professor Stephen Hawking gives his backing to Labour". Labour List. 23 April 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  22. ^ David Holmes (17 April 2015). "Comedian Eddie Izzard in Chester as part of Labour election campaign – Chester Chronicle". Chester Chronicle.
  23. ^ Owen Jones (22 April 2015). "A cruel society is being built. Voting Labour begins the fightback". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  24. ^ "Former Snooker World Champion Ronnie O'Sullivan Backs Labour". Yahoo! News. 20 April 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  25. ^ Will Self (2 May 2015). "Will Self: Oscar Wilde, champagne socialism and why I'm voting Labour". The Guardian.
  26. ^ Jason Beattie (3 May 2015). "Delia Smith: I'm backing Labour to save the NHS because it can't be treated like a supermarket". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  27. ^ Ashleigh Rainbird (22 February 2013). ""I lean to the left": Harry Styles reveals his political direction is Labour". The Mirror.
  28. ^ Polly Toynbee (28 April 2015). "Warning: these Tories won't jump. They must be pushed". The Guardian.
  29. ^ Robert Webb (5 May 2015). "Robert Webb: I wouldn't put Ed Miliband on a T-shirt, but I will vote for him". New Statesman.
  30. ^ "Lib Dems entice donors with chance to win dinner with Bath comedian John Cleese". Bath Chronicle. 14 April 2015. Archived from the original on 20 April 2015.
  31. ^ Andrew Whitaker (19 April 2015). "Former Labour MP calls for SNP vote across Scotland". The Scotsman. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  32. ^ "Scots star Compston says 'it's time for change' in new SNP political broadcast". Herald Scotland. 29 March 2015.
  33. ^ a b Andrew Learmonth (5 May 2015). "Actor Brian Cox puts his weight behind SNP after years of backing Labour". The National. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  34. ^ Kieran Andrews (5 May 2015). "Game of Thrones star backs SNP in Gordon Brown's former seat". The Courier. Archived from the original on 7 May 2015.
  35. ^ "Sheridan's rallying call to Yes supporters: vote SNP next year and aim for 2020 indyref". Herald Scotland. 22 September 2014.
  36. ^ Sarah Sachs-Eldridge (29 April 2015). "Pop star and activist Jawad Ahmad backs TUSC". The Socialist.
  37. ^ Jon Stone (16 April 2015). "Daily Express owner Richard Desmond donates £1.3m to Ukip". The Independent. London.
  38. ^ Jon Stone (30 November 2014). "Nick Griffin voting UKIP: Former BNP leader backs Nigel Farage". The Independent. London.
  39. ^ Ryan Barrell (17 December 2014). "Tommy Robinson, Former EDL Leader, Comes Out in Support of Ukip". The Huffington Post UK.
  40. ^ Lamiat Sabin (26 October 2014). "Millionaire donor Paul Sykes gives Ukip £1.5m in bid to win 100 seats in parliament". The Independent. London.
  41. ^ Rowena Mason (21 April 2015). "Young Republicans drafted in from US to boost Conservative election bid". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  42. ^ "Vote Labour in the UK General election Register by the 20th". ALP Abroad. 18 April 2015. Archived from the original on 22 April 2015.
  43. ^ "Labour launches Green Plan". SERA. 20 April 2015. Archived from the original on 22 April 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  44. ^ "welcomes Labour's manifesto pledges on Gangmasters and Blacklisting". UCATT. 13 April 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  45. ^ "Labour's manifesto gives voters a real choice, says UNISON". Unison. 13 April 2015. Archived from the original on 22 April 2015.
  46. ^ "Arena Election Special 2015". Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers.
  47. ^ "RMT conference unanimously votes to continue support for TUSC". TUSC. 27 June 2014.
  48. ^ "Support TUSC in the Local and General Elections". RMT London. 16 April 2015.
  49. ^ James Cusick (22 March 2015). "Vote Ukip, says far-right group Britain First – UK Politics – UK". The Independent. London. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  50. ^ David Williamson (28 January 2015). "Plaid Cymru urges supporters living in England to vote Green". Wales Online.
  51. ^ Rebecca Black (18 March 2015). "DUP and UUP seal election pact for East Belfast, Fermanagh and South Tyrone, North Belfast Newry and Armagh". The Belfast Telegraph.
  52. ^ "Hugh Grant backing Danny Alexander in election". The Scotsman. 30 April 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  53. ^ a b c d e f "Editorial: Reward the heroes and punish the villains of LGBT rights in Parliament". Pink News. 6 May 2015.
  54. ^ "Vote Clegg". The Times. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  55. ^ Anna Gillies (28 April 2015). "Guardian Columnist Owen Jones joins Coppard Campaign". Forge Press. Sheffield: University of Sheffield.
  56. ^ "Snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan endorses Sheffield Hallam candidate Oliver Coppard". Labour List. 29 April 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  57. ^ "Queen legend Brian May to visit Penzance to support Lib Dem candidate Andrew George". The Cornishman. Archived from the original on 30 May 2015.
  58. ^ "Former Labour councillors back Caroline for Pavilion – Caroline Lucas". Brighton and Hove Green Party. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  59. ^ a b c "Key Environment Leaders endorse Caroline Lucas". Green Party. 20 April 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  60. ^ Peter Walker (1 May 2015). "Russell Brand endorses Green MP Caroline Lucas". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  61. ^ Jessica Elgot (24 April 2015). "Celebrities sign statement of support for Caroline Lucas – but not the Greens". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  62. ^ David Aaronovitch (7 May 2015). "Only the Lib Dems can bring us to our senses". The Times. London.
  63. ^ "Endorse Maajid Nawaz". Maajid Nawaz for Hampstead and Kilburn. Archived from the original on 11 May 2015.
  64. ^ "Press Release: Windsor General Election candidate endorsed by Syrian Political Party". Peace in Kurdistan. 13 April 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  65. ^ "Election Live – 4 May – BBC News". BBC News.
  66. ^ David Williamson (20 April 2015). "Green icon Caroline Lucas urges Welsh supporters to support Plaid Cymru in seats where her party has no candidate". Wales Online. Retrieved 2 May 2015.