General Election 2015: Stephen Hawking says he will vote Labour

The physicist shares his Theory of Everything to do with the election

Tuesday 28 April 2015 09:07 BST

Professor Stephen Hawking in his office at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at Cambridge University (Science Museum/Sarah Lee)

Stephen Hawking, argued to be the most intelligent man on the planet, thinks that Ed Miliband is the best person to be Prime Minister.

The physicist who was the subject of Oscar-winning film The Theory of Everything, has confirmed he is voting Labour and has backed Cambridge candidate Daniel Zeichner.

"We’re really pleased and we hope that people will take note," said Zeichner

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

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1/6Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Settled Silvers

These are the comfortably-off over-60s, still in work or drawing a decent pension – or both – who are enjoying their entitlements such as the Winter Fuel Allowance, free bus passes and free TV licence. They are worried about immigration and Europe. Both the Conservatives – who are pledging to keep benefits for wealthier pensioners – and Ukip want their votes

Micha Theiner

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Squeezed Semis

Slightly older than the Harassed Hipsters, they are the second key group for Labour’s family-focused election strategy. They are married couples on low to middle incomes who own unpretentious semi-detached homes in suburban areas. In 2001, these were the Pebbledash People sought by the Conservatives. Now the pebbledash is gone and a modest conservatory has been built at the back

Micha Theiner

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Aldi Woman

In 1997 and 2001 she was Worcester Woman – a middle-class Middle Englander shopping at Marks & Spencer and Waitrose. Today, the age of austerity means she still goes to Waitrose for her basic food shop but cannily switches to Aldi for her luxury bargains such as Parma ham and prosecco. Identified by Caroline Flint, she is a key target of both Labour and the Conservatives

Micha Theiner

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Glass Ceiling Woman

In her thirties or forties, she has an established career under her belt, perhaps in the “marzipan layer” – one position below the still male-dominated senior executive level. She is now, according to Nick Clegg, forced into making the “heart-breaking choice” between staying at home to bring up her children and going to work and forking out for high-cost, round-the-clock childcare

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Harassed Hipsters

One of the two key groups identified by Labour as crucial to hand Ed Miliband the keys to Downing Street. Well-paid professional couples, often with children, they live in diverse urban and metropolitan areas rather than the suburbs. More comfortably off than most swing voters, they are time poor – struggling to balance raising a young family with busy work schedules

Micha Theiner

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Neo-Greens

These are mainly first-time voters, though some are in their twenties – students and digital-age generation renters helping to fuel the “Green Surge”. Idealists, but with no tribal loyalty to any party, they are anti-austerity, middle class, living in urban areas. Despite studying at university or recently graduated, they are struggling to find decent jobs and want cheaper housing and a higher minimum wage

Micha Theiner

"And many other scientists understand the city needs a Labour government to get the kind of investment we need again."

Hawking has previously spoken out against the privatisation of the National Health Service.

He described the NHS as "Britain's finest public service".

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General Election 2015: Stephen Hawking says he will vote Labour

The physicist shares his Theory of Everything to do with the election

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Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Settled Silvers

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Squeezed Semis

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Aldi Woman

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Glass Ceiling Woman

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Harassed Hipsters

Election Analysis: The Key Voters

Neo-Greens

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