‘Sounds like he’s holding a fart’: England fans have their say on the general election

When England fans gathered to watch Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions play in their second Euro 2024 group game against Denmark on Thursday (June 20), they probably expected to talk about the decision to play Trent Alexander- Arnold in midfield or how to get the best results. to Phil Foden. But amid the footballing excitement, MyLondon spoke to fans about their views on the most pressing issues for the upcoming general election.

Soccer fans may prioritize their sport, but they also have strong opinions about the direction of the country. Croydon East is one of London’s newest constituencies following boundary changes in 2023. Opinions varied widely among the fans we spoke to. Some focused on personal concerns, while others considered broader national issues.

READ MORE: MyLondon’s big general election poll – have your say on London transport, the NHS and the cost of living

Craig Smith, 31, said: “For me personally the biggest issue is corporation tax and value added tax rates for small businesses. But I appreciate that’s probably not the view of the general population.”

While Oliver Jarman, 28, commented: “What the UK needs is someone to give the hard truth about tax and spending. We have Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak saying essentially the same thing, which is what we want to hear. But I think there is a mood in the country that we need to be told the hard truth.”

He added of the candidates: “I think Keir Starmer is a robot and he always looks like he’s farting. And Rishi Sunak is a… What is Rishi Sunak?”

Other popular concerns included immigration and youth support. Karl Grover, 42, said: “I think immigration is the biggest issue. I think we’re letting people in who shouldn’t be coming. But I also understand that there are people who just want to come here for a better life.”

Jordan Riley, 21, said: “I feel that young people need better help when it comes to education and financial issues.” Will Powell, 28, highlighted an international hot topic – climate change – expressing the need for a dedicated political party to bring the issue into mainstream politics.

While the main focus was on football, the fans clearly had strong political views. However, by the end of the match, many admitted that they could not express themselves well after drinking too many pints.

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