The Labour’s candidate standing against Nigel Farage in Clacton has been dubbed Britain’s new most stylish politician.
Jovan Owusu-Nepaul, who is in his twenties and studied politics, philosophy and economics at Goldsmiths University before gaining his masters in history at Cambridge University, is the Reform UK leader’s very dapper competition in Clacton.
Channelling 1970s hipster style crossed with country gentleman in tweeds and check shirts, the wannabe MP has been turning heads on the campaign trail.
Jovan has been snapped looking dashing while door-knocking, handing out leaflets and greeting members of his constituency wearing a succession of excellently put-together ensembles.
Having joined the Labour party at the age of 17, Jovan, who graduated from his Masters last year, is now going head-to-head with the Reform UK leader to become MP on July 4.
Farage is also known for his quirky outfits, so it appears it may be battle of the catwalk.
Labour’s candidate Jovan Owusu-Nepaul (pictured) who is standing against Nigel Farage in Clacton is Britain’s new most stylish politician
Jovan, who studied politics, philosophy and economics at Goldsmiths University in London before gaining his masters in history at Cambridge University , is the Reform UK candidate’s very dapper competition in Clacton
One snap of Owusu-Nepaul on the campaign trial looks more like a shot from a high end fashion campaign than a British politician canvassing.
Perfectly tailored khaki trousers and a nude trench coat, accentuated by a bold striped jumper with a clashing shift and tie is one look.
Another, Owusu-Nepaul ate chips on the beach while sporting a patriotic white, blue and red jumper.
Speaking to FEMAIL, celebrity stylist Rochelle White said the candidate is ‘very Gen Z’.
‘Jovan Owusu-Nepaul has such an unusual style when it comes to politicians but so much when it comes to Gen Z.
‘It represents his personality, but also taps into the love for nostalgia among that age group. He is standing out for his style, but also relatability.
‘He’ll know that people are watching and so he is putting his best foot forward. I feel that tapping into the old school look on some subconscious level relates to the older demographic, but is also seen as being style conscious to the young demographic.
‘In regards to Nigel, I feel that he has gone for a more muted version of himself. He is one of those people that wants to be relatable to who he is talking to, but be taken more seriously.
‘So, the shift in style could be because of that. He will always have a pop of colour, but the more toned down version I feel is taking a leaf out of other leaders who have been successful. Yet, he still owns a bit of his own style and trademark’.
Though they’re up against one another politically, the two men seem to be remaining cordial on the campaign trail.
Channelling 1970s hipster style crossed with country gentleman in tweeds and check shirts, the wannabe MP has been turning heads on the campaign trail
Having joined the Labour party at the age of 17, Jovan is now going head-to-head with the Reform UK leader to become MP on July 4
When they ran into each other in Clacton’s high street, Jovan greeted Farage and said there was ‘more in common than divides us’. Farage agreed, adding: ‘We disagree on the vision — and that’s OK.’
The pair also seem to be on the same page when it comes to their wardrobes as a spokesperson for Farage said Jovan’s style was ‘a breath of fresh air.’
‘Jovan certainly has his own style, and best of British to him.
‘It’s a breath of fresh air amongst the grey suits of the safe and aesthetically challenged ranks of most Westminster wannabes. Nigel’s style speaks for itself,’ a spokesperson for Farage said.
While both men channel a traditional Englishman aesthetic, Farage has recently toned town his style and tends to stick to navy suits, white shirts and eye-catching ties and socks.
Farage was once known for his quirky tweed jackets and colourful trousers look which he made his own.
Jovan went to school in Southampton, attending the Warwash Maritime School at Solent University, which specialises in training for those considering working in the maritime industry.
Farage was once known for his quirky tweed jackets and colourful trousers look which he made his own
While both men channel a traditional Englishman aesthetic, Farage has recently toned town his style and tends to stick to navy suits, white shirts and eye-catching ties and socks
He went on to study politics, philosophy and economics at Goldsmiths University in London, graduating with a 2:1 and a distinction in his dissertation, which was a comparative analysis of the political economy of the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn, against the party under the leadership of Tony Blair.
He then served as Chair of the Lewisham Deptford Constituency Labour Party. He was the first British African/Indo Caribbean Chair in the CLP’s history – an area with the second highest proportion of African/African Caribbean people in the UK and was one of the youngest Labour Party Chairs in the UK.
He grew up watching his mother work long hours in the NHS as a midwife. He was affected by the Tories‘ closure of Sure Start centres which offered help and advice on child and family health, parenting, money, training and employment.
Though they’re up against one another politically, the two men seem to be remaining cordial on the campaign trail
Jovan has been snapped looking dashing while door-knocking, handing out leaflets and greeting members of his constituency wearing a succession of excellently put-together ensembles
In 2021, Jovan wrote an article for The Independent calling on the government to tackle the growing mental health epidemic which was made worse by Covid lockdowns.
He wrote: ‘Our prospects appear bleaker than those our parents once enjoyed. We don’t get grants for university, we can’t save for a house deposit in an inflated housing market, and paying back our student loans now feels like an incomprehensible task due to high rents and fewer job opportunities.
‘Twentysomethings have helped keep the country running and have compromised as much as anyone else during the pandemic, and yet our futures are overlooked and remain uncertain. I urge the government to focus on the young this decade, or else fail an entire generation.’
The latest Survation polling by Best for Britain shows Farage’s party in the lead with 30.73 percent of the forecast votes, trailed by the Tories at 29.44 percent and Labour with 27.59 percent.