Bridging the Gap: Young People and Engagement in the UK

In the landscape of UK politics, the engagement of young people is both crucial and challenging. Despite their potential to drive social and political change, young people often face significant barriers to meaningful participation. In this blog, we explore the dynamics of young people’s political engagement in the UK, identifying inequalities and advocating for solutions to bridge the gap.

Youth Voter Turnout:

One of the most pressing issues in young people’s political engagement is voter turnout. Historically, young people have been less likely to vote compared to older age groups, leading to a democratic deficit where their voices are underrepresented in the political process( Derksen, Falconi and Jayme ,2018).This discrepancy creates what is often referred to as a democratic deficit, where the preferences and concerns of young voters are not adequately reflected in election outcomes (The British Election Study Team, 2021).

Turnout surveys help us estimate how likely people of different ages are to vote. These surveys include both voters and non-voters, but sometimes people overstate their turnout. That’s why we do a “vote validation” exercise to check the accuracy of the data. 

Looking at the 2015, 2017, and 2019 elections, we see that younger people are less likely to vote compared to older people. Turnout increases as people get older. There were some small changes between elections, like a slight increase in turnout among the youngest age groups (though within the margin of error), and a slight decrease in turnout among those aged 55-74 in 2019, possibly due to the winter election. 

Factors such as disillusionment with mainstream politics which means that some  young people feel disillusioned with mainstream politics because they see a gap between their concerns and what the established political parties are pushing for. It can be frustrating when you feel like your voice isn’t being heard, lack of political education which means that  young people don’t get enough education about politics, elections, and why voting is important, it can make them feel apathetic. It’s important to have the knowledge to make informed decisions, and practical barriers to voting contribute to low turnout among young voters (Mashford 2020). To address this, initiatives like automatic voter registration makes voter registration easier by automatically enrolling eligible citizens when they turn 18 can encourage more young people to get involved in the voting process. It takes away the hassle and makes it more convenient for them to participate, lowering the voting age which some  argue that lowering the voting age to 16 could engage young people earlier and instill a sense of civic responsibility and enhancing political education in schools are crucial steps towards increasing youth participation in UK elections (Smets, 2014).

Digital Democracy:

The digital age has transformed the landscape of political engagement, offering new avenues for young people to participate in politics. Social media platforms provide platforms for young people to express their views, mobilize for causes, and engage with political issues. However, digital inequalities, such as unequal access to technology and digital literacy, exacerbate disparities in online political engagement. Efforts to promote digital inclusion and combat misinformation are essential to ensure that all young people can effectively participate in digital democracy and make informed decisions(simon et al., 2017).

Youth Representation:

Another challenge in young people’s political engagement is the lack of representation and meaningful involvement in decision-making processes. Despite being directly affected by policies and decisions, young people often find themselves excluded from political institutions and marginalized in political discourse. Increasing youth representation in parliament can encourage more young people to run for office and take part in parliamentary elections, it can lead to better representation. Programs like the UK Youth Parliament give young folks the chance to get involved in politics and fight for the changes they believe in (British Youth Council, 2022),local councils, and community organizations are essential to ensure that their voices are heard and their interests are represented. Political parties and policymakers must actively engage with young people, listen to their concerns, and involve them in shaping policies that affect their lives.

Educational Inequalities:

Educational inequalities play a significant role in shaping young people’s political engagement in the UK. Variations in the quality of education such as students in well-funded schools may have better civic education, critical thinking skills, and exposure to political issues. On the other hand, students in under-resourced schools might not have these same opportunities , resources, and opportunities across different schools and regions contribute to disparities in political knowledge and civic participation(Reay, Crozier and Clayton, 2010). Addressing educational inequalities requires equitable funding for schools, inclusive curriculum that fosters critical thinking and citizenship education (Gert J. J. Biesta, 2015), and support for extracurricular activities that promote civic engagement. By investing in education, we can empower young people to become active and informed citizens who are equipped to participate in the democratic process.

Intersectionality:

Intersectionality is a crucial framework for understanding the complexities of young people’s political engagement in the UK(Crenshaw, 1991). In addition to age, factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status intersect to shape young people’s experiences and opportunities for political participation (Cho, Crenshaw and McCall, 2013).Marginalized groups, such as young people of color, LGBTQ+ youth, and those from low-income backgrounds, face compounded barriers to political engagement due to systemic inequalities and discrimination(Hancock, 2007)Addressing intersectional inequalities requires targeted policies and initiatives that recognize and address the unique challenges faced by diverse groups of young people.

Young people’s political engagement in the UK is influenced by a range of factors, including voter turnout, digital democracy, youth representation, educational inequalities, and intersectional dynamics. By identifying these inequalities and advocating for solutions, we can create a more inclusive and participatory democracy where all young people have the opportunity to engage meaningfully in shaping their futures. Empowering young people to become active citizens is not only a matter of democratic principle but also a crucial investment in the future of UK society.

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