fbpx Will we see a 'youthquake' at the next election? - London Youth

19 November 2019

We’re fast-approaching our third General Election in four years. Half the country seems to be in the throws of election hysteria, with the other half channeling their inner Brenda from Bristol.

In the days following the 2017 general election, it was reported that there had been a ‘youthquake’. A quick glance at the press and social media suggested a record turnout for young voters. Indeed, the Oxford English Dictionary coined ‘Youthquake’ the word of the year.

It seemed like the unthinkable had happened. At a time of apparent indifference towards politics, young people had turned out to vote, against the odds.

But that wasn’t the case. While it’s true that it was the biggest turnout of young people since the 1992 election, there is no evidence to suggest any such ‘youthquake’ took place; just 57% of registered 18-19 year-olds voted compared to 84% of registered voters aged 70+.

The adage goes that political parties focus their efforts on older people because older people are more likely to turn out to vote. That is, in part, true. Not only are the over-50s more likely to vote, they’re also more likely to be our elected representatives. At both the 2015 and 2017 elections, the average age of a parliamentarian was 50, while the UK average age is 40.

There’s only one way to make politics more representative: vote.

The last election saw more female MPs, more BAME MPs and more LGBT MPs than ever before. The more people that vote, the more that our representatives will reflect our society.

Since turning 18 I’ve voted in every election I’ve been able to. I’m now 25 and have voted in two general elections, two council elections, two mayoral elections, two European Union elections and two referendums (Scottish and EU) and one London Assembly election. Some of these elections went the way I voted and some did not. But deep down I know that I did my part and cast my ballot. Elections matter and voting matters.

There are a few things that you can do.

Every opportunity to go to the polls is an opportunity to have your say on the future of your community and of our country. Whether or not we have our say, politics will happen and we will all feel the impact. There wasn’t a ‘youthquake’ in 2017, but let’s aim for one in 2019.

Harry Crumless – Communications Officer


Other General Election resources

We have summarised the most relevant youth sector commitments in each of the parties’ manifestos, which you can find here.

You can also find some useful information on how young people can vote and have heir voices heard here.

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