Arts: Would-be MPs focused on film

A survey of general election candidates' interest in the arts shows that 69.5 per cent choose film and video as their favoured artistic form, 69 per cent choose classical music, 66.5 per cent museums and heritage, and 65 per cent literature. Only 55 per cent named theatre. Less than 40 per cent were interested in pop music, and not even 10 per cent in contemporary dance.

The survey of more than 700 candidates by the National Campaign for the Arts, an independent pressure group, had a response rate of more than 40 per cent. Of these, more than half said they attended an arts event at least once a month.

Arts News, the journal of the National Campaign for the Arts, pounds 2.50. Tel: 0171 828 4448