Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Mick Jagger beat experts and polls to correctly predict the general election

Former US advisor to the Conservatives Jim Messina said the Rolling Stones frontman was 'one of the savviest political observers I've come across'

Jenn Selby
Monday 18 May 2015 11:16 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Back of the class, David Dimbleby. Back of the tank, Paul the World Cup-predicting octopus.

There’s a new forecasting genius in town who managed to summon the information numerous polls and experts failed to accurately relay.

Mick Jagger correctly predicted that the Conservatives would romp to a majority victory in the General Election, a former US advisor to the Tories has claimed.

Jim Messina, who was also a former White House deputy chief of staff under President Barack Obama, labelled the legendary Rolling Stones frontman “one of the savviest political observers I’ve come across”.

“Mick has been a bit of a political junkie his whole life,” he told Politico magazine, saying he’d gleaned the majority of his knowledge through reading on tour.

Sir Mick and Messina apparently met for dinner just before Britain went to the polling stations.

“You’re going to win,” Sir Mick told him. When Messina asked why he thought they would lead the election, he said he knew David Cameron would be back in Number 10 because “the average guy thinks Cameron makes tough decisions and things are getting a bit better”.

“They won’t change from that,” he apparently added. “Your opponent has come across like he is a retreat to the past.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in