The subject will be debated in the Commons on Friday—and I will make the case for change
by Caroline Lucas / November 1, 2017 / Leave a comment
Young voters outside a polling station in south London in June. Photo: NEWZULU/Melinda Nagy/NEWZULU/PA Images
Read more: Was 8th June the revenge of the millennials?
It is easy to look back on the last two years in politics and feel a sense of despair. A divisive EU referendum followed by a bitter general election, and now the ongoing chaos surrounding the government as it attempts to manage the Brexit process.
In the midst of these most trying times there are reasons to find hope, too. Not least the rise in young people’s interest in politics. June’s general election saw us turn a corner after two decades of disproportionately low turnout among young voters. 64 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds headed to the polls to have their say in Britain’s future. It was the highest youth turnout in 25 years.
This was an election which the Conservatives attempted to frame entirely around the EU referendum and there is a subtle irony in the fact that June’s vote mobilised a swathe of voters whose voices were lost as the results of the EU referendum trickled in and the reality of Brexit broke.
A staggering 75 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds who voted last year chose “Remain,” overridden by the older generations who voted “Leave”—including 61 per cent of 65+ year-olds. 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds never had the chance to make their voices heard, after my amendment to give them the vote in the referendum was rejected by parliament. This despite the fact they will be the ones to carry the potentially dire consequences.
You have now reached your limit of 3 free articles in the last 30 days.
But don't worry! You can get another 7 articles absolutely free, simply by entering your email address in the box below.
When you register we'll also send you a free e-book—Writing with punch—which includes some of the finest writing from our archive of 22 years. And we'll also send you a weekly newsletter with the best new ideas in politics and philosophy of culture, which you can of course unsubscribe from at any time
Prospect may process your personal information for our legitimate business purposes, to provide you with our newsletter, subscription offers and other relevant information.
Click to learn more about these interests and how we use your data. You will be able to object to this processing on the next page and in all our communications.
