An estimated 4 billion people will vote in 2024, constituting half of the planet’s population. This significant number warrants investigation, particularly as a sizable portion of these voters will be young people, those under 30. Historically, understanding the political participation and voting behaviour of young individuals has been clouded by questions. What motivates young people politically? Do they care enough to vote?
To answer these inquiries in the super-election year, between November 2023 and January 2024 Voice’s series ‘The Young Vote’ delved into the contemporary political landscape of young people. Voice commissioned young people to share their political views and opinions, interviewed innovative UK leaders who are making change within the political sphere, and tasked experts with unpacking the significance of young people’s political participation. Running parallel, Voice also conducted The Young Vote Survey, reaching across the UK to encompass a multitude of viewpoints.
The Young Vote was established to challenge two primary assumptions: that all young people vote alike, and that young people are universally apathetic and disillusioned with mainstream politics.
The Young Vote Survey results, answered by 52 people under 30, challenge both assumptions. In this round-up, we discuss the themes and unexpected outcomes from The Young Vote and understand what this means for the UK in 2024.
Young people plan to vote
The survey reported that 85% of respondents were registered to vote and a similar 88% planned to vote in the next general election. Respondents’ provided statements to contextualise their attitudes towards voting. Some were overwhelmingly positive. “I think voting is an important part of spreading your beliefs and speaking up for what you believe in.” Another reflected on the inherent democratic privilege of voting. “I love that I have the right and chance to vote. It’s not something everyone can do.”
Change motivates young voters
When respondents were asked to elaborate upon why they were planning to vote in the upcoming election, change emerged as a primary motivation. One respondent said: “I want to have my say and contribute to change.”
Another elaborated, “I think my vote matters and it’s important to me that I vote towards a party that is inline with my values, in hope that they could be elected and make a change for the better.”
Confusion is an obstacle to participation
A key factor limiting voter turnout amongst young people is the registration process. One respondent said it is “too time consuming to register” whilst another answered that “voting can be confusing and stressful so I never know what to do.” Factors such as time constraints, lack of guidance, stress and confusion prevent young voters from fully participating in UK democracy.
Clarity and simplicity are needed to combat the unnecessary confusion currently embedded within the voting process. Nevertheless, the survey did highlight that despite limiting factors, electoral participation was still high. 66% and 60% voted in local elections and general elections respectively.
Young voters feel disconnected from their representatives
In answer to whether political parties understand issues faced by young people, not a single respondent felt political parties understood the issue faced by young people, and only 35% felt that they 'somewhat' understood. Survey respondents recognised that the UK electoral system facilitates a political environment where governing parties only care about winning seats rather than reaching minority groups such as young people.
For example, one respondent stated, “Political parties only care about the voices that will win them seats. That is generally not the youth even though we have to deal with the failures and inaction of the older generations.” Political scientist Dr Stuart Fox takes a different stance but agreed with the conclusion, explaining, “I think most political parties and politicians do understand the issues young people face…However, that doesn't mean they’re going to prioritise young people.”
Rose Caldwell, CEO of children’s equality charity Plan UK, explained that some girls in the UK are disillusioned due to the apparent distance between voters and their representatives.
“For many girls, the formal political system and those who operate within it are often inaccessible, irrelevant and not worth the effort.”
What young people care about
Disillusionment did feature in survey responses, but not necessarily as expected. Young people are often considered to be disillusioned with politics in general, not caring enough to cast their votes. However, instead, in the survey young people reported disillusionment stemming specifically from parties not taking action on important issues. For example, “If political parties understood what -young people wanted, then they would not break promises on environmental policy, would look at a ceasefire in Palestine and condemn Israel's actions. We would be able to afford houses, with ‘normal’ jobs.”
When asked what respondents would want to see in a good political party, 93.8% said ‘policies that matched what’s important to me.’ The three most important things respondents’ wanted to see the next government deal with were the economy and cost-of-living crisis (94%), the NHS (67%) and climate change (52%).
In regards to the issues young people care about, a question emerged from respondents’ and experts alike. To what extent are young people different from the rest of the population?“Many of the gravest issues facing young people (climate, Russia/China) face everyone.”Dr Silvia Behrens highlighted the homogenisation of young people by politicians and the media.
“Young people are just as complex as the rest of the population.”
It starts with education
A majority of young people (60%) said that their school education did not contribute to their political awareness. This result was contextualised by opinions from young people and experts who together emphasised the importance of a new political education effort. The education discussions fell into three main themes.
A new national approach
Firstly, the national curriculum provides an opportunity for children to engage with the UK political process. Harrison Ricketts, YMCA Youth Ambassador, recommended a new education initiative be tailored and contextualised by schools to engage young people with local politics. “Educational institutions should make efforts to use local information to help students better understand how they and their local community play a part in the UK and its democracy.” Practically, he suggests this could be achieved through an “external body holding the government to account on what secondary schools are teaching to the next generation regarding politics.”
The new national approach might also equip young people about how to engage in conversations about politics with friends and family. Just over half (51%) said they talk about politics with friends frequently or very frequently whilst just under half (46%) said they talk about politics with family frequently or very frequently. One respondent said, “A chance to discuss ideas and opinions can shape thinking.” However, many more cited the reason for a lack of discussion precisely because of disagreements.
Equipping young people to access news
Secondly, our survey showed that 81% of respondents access news from social media sites. Barriers to political participation such as misinformation and disinformation can be countered by an effective education strategy. As CEO of ShoutOutUK Matteo Bergamini explained, “You can’t make an informed decision if you don’t know what factual information is, or what it looks like… We can’t deal with problems like the climate crisis without first figuring out how to counter disinformation.”
In answer to a question investigating political influences, one respondent commented on the offline/online divide. “My family is very open about what policies and parties they support, particularly my mother. However, I am also influenced by what I read about in the news about the politicians - these also determine who is/isn't trustworthy and who cares about ordinary or marginalised people.”
Educational attainment indicates voting behaviour
Lastly, political scientist Dr James Sloam cited educational attainment as an indicator of voting behaviour. “[University] students turn out in a higher proportion to the general population and people with lower educational backgrounds rarely participate.” Therefore, closing the education attainment gap can ensure further participation from a broader range of young people in the UK.
A sense of belonging increases participation
Only 17% of respondents volunteer, despite its value in increasing awareness and civic engagement. Dr Fox advocating for volunteering as a means of awareness raising and boosting civic engagement.
“People who volunteer become more aware of issues in their community and in their social networks and that might motivate political activity…When you volunteer, you meet people that you might not otherwise…There will be an exchange of information or even confidence.”
Although not volunteering, young people are still finding ways to engage politically, and in turn, find a sense of community and belonging. 38% of survey respondents had participated in a protest march, whilst 67% had engaged with online campaigning. Dr Silvia Behrens explained that belonging is a motivating factor: “young people often cite a desire to belong and find their own place as a major motivation to engage in political activities.” Going a step further, Professor Sarah Pickard explains that participating politically as a group “helps with feelings of agency, belonging, hope and solidarity.”
Participation looks different for everyone
Pickard’s concept of do-it-ourselves politics, which emphasises agency, demonstrates that young people are not politically apathetic, but instead engage in politics often outside of traditional means. She explains that “traditional definitions of political participation initially focussed on electoral participation… young people are making many decisions everyday that are political.”
The survey made clear the variety of participation means, with 21% being members of a political party and 12.5% being members of an organisation with political aims. 38% had engaged in protest marches, and 6% in direct action. The Chief Executive of YMCA, Denise Hatton, summed it up well in encouraging young people to participate in whatever way is best suited to their interests, needs and circumstances. “Political engagement is diverse and individuals can choose the methods that align best with their skills, interests, and resources. Combining both traditional and non-traditional approaches can create a more comprehensive and impactful political presence.”
The power of youth voice
Despite mainstream education playing a marginal role in developing political awareness, 70% of respondents said they had a good or very good awareness of current events in the UK. It’s clear from their comments that young people shouldn’t be discounted from political discourse, especially given 88% of eligible respondents intend to vote in the upcoming election.
Young people’s representation is vital to a vibrant UK democracy. As Denise Hatton contends, “The inclusion of youth voices ensures a more comprehensive and representative decision-making process.” However, the current reality is imperfect and requires young people to strive to be engaged and listened to. Matteo Bergamini spoke honestly about representation as a choice. “The only choice we have when it comes to politics is whether or not we want to be in the conversation. Or we let other people who may or may not have your best interests have a say in your life.”
Voting is one component of inclusion and representation. Although young people have been labelled apathetic and disillusioned for decades, ultimately the current picture is more hopeful. Laura Coryton, encouraged the political aspirations of young people. “Be unapologetically ambitious...aim for the change you want to see.”