Labour might be surging ahead in the opinion polls, but it's the Conservatives who look set to win the hospitality vote, according to a survey of Caterer readers.
More than a third (37%) of respondents to an online poll said they intended to vote for the Tory party on 5 May, compared with only 21% for Labour and 20% for the Liberal Democrats.
Ten per cent of the 664 readers who responded to the survey said they would either be voting for parties other than the three major contenders or had not yet decided whom to support. Almost 12% of respondents said they had decided not to vote at all.
The two issues which Caterer readers said had the biggest influence on their vote were, jointly, the promise of a dedicated Government minister to support the industry (19%) and a reduction in red tape (19%). Almost 15% of respondents said more apprenticeships and practical training schemes would win their vote.
While 10% of those who voted said a manifesto pledge to ban smoking in all public places would have the most significant impact on their decision, only 6% said more immigration schemes to help fill the glut of low-skilled job vacancies would positively influence their ballot choice.
Analysts were not altogether shocked by the results. Chris Rouse, senior director at analysts CBRE, said: "I would not be at all surprised if there was a backlash against red tape, regulation and what's generally perceived to be a more favourable attitude to small businesses from the Tory party - whether it's true or not."
David Bailey, director of TRI Hospitality Consulting, agreed there were concerns over the amount of red tape introduced by the current Government, and possible fears over increases in tax and national insurance.
"Increases to payroll costs under Labour could also be driving people to think that it would not be the best outcome for businesses to have the same outfit in power after 5 May," he said.