View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
April 8, 2015

County-wide survey forms basis of KM Group’s Kent Decides website

By Matthew Gilley

A Kent newspaper publisher KM Group has commissioned a county-wide poll which shows that jobs are the biggest priority for residents ahead of the general election.

The research will form the centrepiece of the group’s election site, Kent Decides, which launches tomorrow.

The economy and jobs polled highest in people’s priorities at 30 per cent, with the NHS second at 25 per cent and immigration third at 24 per cent.

Kent is a strong target area for UKIP with leader Nigel Farage contesting the South Thanet seat and Mark Reckless bidding for re-election in Rochester and Strood.

Ian Carter, KM Group editorial director, said the survey shows that there is “a lot more to Kent than immigration”.

He said: “This is set to be one of the closest-fought general elections in the county for generations. Whilst Kent has traditionally been true blue, the Ukip factor has changed the dynamics completely.

“However, there are other key issues for the county. This is certainly the largest survey we have ever been involved in, and the results should be fascinating.”

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

KM Group also surveyed voting intentions. It found UKIP polling at 24 percent in the county, an increase from 6 per cent in the 2010 election, in second place behind the Conservatives on 39 per cent.

Last month some 24 regional newspaper titles published by Trinity Mirror produced “election demands” based on a survey of 18,000 readers around the country.

The poll was conducted by Ashford-based company Facts International, who surveyed 1,000 people across Kent.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network