The New Musical Express might not be quite the cultural force it was in its 60s and 70s heyday, but Jeremy Corbyn will be hoping his appearance on the front page of the latest issue – and on five more pages inside – will win him some votes from the readership.

The issue published on Friday 2 June – just six days before the general election – has his face filling the front cover, with the banner headline: “We offer hope.”

The cover of the 2 June issue of the NME.

Inside, the NME – which shifts 300,000 copies a week, albeit now given away rather than sold – devotes five pages to an interview with the Labour leader.

The questions are put by NME readers and mainly cover youth-oriented policies, as well as the NHS and crime.

Corbyn, whose party has a healthy lead among young voters, stresses his pitch for their support.

Asked by reader James, 29, why younger people tend to be backing Labour, Corbyn replies: “I think they’re engaged because our manifesto offers them hope.

“It offers them hope that their schools will be properly funded, that their youth clubs will be properly funded, that they’ll get maintenance grants, they’ll get an opportunity to go to university without incurring massive debts at the end of it.”

An NME survey tracking voting intention of 18-34-year-olds has revealed that 41% plan to vote for Labour, with 16% saying they prefer the Conservatives.