Pretty Politicians Do Better In Marginal Seats, Study Finds (PICTURES)

Pretty Politicians Do Better In Marginal Seats, Study Finds (PICTURES)

Want to get elected to parliament in a marginal seat? Then you better look like an Abercrombie and Fitch model or your prettier opponent is going to catwalk to victory.

A study conducted by the University of Exeter and Iowa University in the United States found that being easy on the eye could clinch victory.

Exeter politics lecturer Caitlin Milazzo said that while the findings did not rule out the chances of "unattractive candidates" being elected, they did suggest that an attractiveness was an advantage.

"As a result, parties should be mindful of the appearance of their candidates, particularly when contesting a marginal seat," she said.

The study found that after being rated for good looks by a panel of Americans, there was a 72% chance of the hotter politician being elected in marginal seats.

Below are the ten seats which produced the narrowest results in 2010, did the better looking candidate win?

Rodney Connor v Michelle Gildernew (WINNER)

Glenda Jackson (WINNER) v Chris Philp

Mike O'Brien v Dan Byles (WINNER)

George Eustice (WINNER) v Julia Goldsworthy

Nicola Blackwood (WINNER) v Evan Harris

Susan Williams v Julie Hilling (WINNER)

Matthew Offord (WINNER) v Andrew Dismore

Elwyn Watkins v Phil Woolas (WINNER)

Lorely Burt (WINNER) v Magge Throup

Jackie Doyle-Price (WINNER) v Carl Morris

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