Vote, Vote and Vote again!

One of the reasons put forward by the Huffington Post for the vast disparity in projections for the UK General Election today is the voter turnout among the under 24s. How the 18-24 vote is factored in creates a wealth of polls, from YouGov’s 3 point lead of the Conservatives to ICM's 12% Conservative lead. Policy editor Chris Cook explained on Newsnight the guestimating that comes into play when pollsters account for each age group when predicting results, using the example that a poll from Survation with a 6 point lead for the Conservatives assumes that more than 80% of under 24s go out and vote today, while ICM's 12 point lead for Conservatives assumes there will be a 40% turnout among the 24s.

3 million people have registered to vote since when the election was called on the 18th April to 22nd May and a record number of young people have registered to vote in this election, a million of under 25s to be exact. And while traditional doom and gloom wisdom is that 'the young don't vote' if they do today, they could have a huge impact. In a two party race to 10 Downing Street, 18-24s could have the deciding vote. 

The Labour party has traditionally relied upon a large turn-out from the young and under Corbyn in particular, the popularity of Labour has soared. Whether it is the ‘fresh-face's’ pictured at Labour rally's in East London on the news in recent weeks or the huge number of students who, in light of tuition fee manifesto promises, are intending to vote Labour there is no doubt that large swathes of the urban vote and students are backing Jeremy Corbyn. However, historically the voter turn-out does not bode well for a game-changing result for Labour. In 2015, the turnout amongst 18-24 year olds was 43%, compared to 1992 in John Major's victory over Neil Kinnock at 63%. There has been a steady and steep decline in young people voting for years, and the reason given to broadcasters on the news is usually the same, "Voting doesn't make a difference" "I don't like elections or politics" "I haven't followed it very well". Comparing these comments with the frenzied fervour of the young people at Labour rallies seems at odds. It shows that 18-24's if they wanted to, could make a sizeable difference in politics and political elections (irrespective of their political leanings), the turnout rate of over 65's at 80% dwarfs 2015's 43% under 24 turnout. 

Why is there this discrepancy in voting? That the over 65s, for the most part, unquestioningly go to the ballot box to have their say in comparison to their grandchildren and children must be down to their attitude to voting. As post-war baby boomers they have a water-tight resolve in the democratic process of voting, they have witnessed the turbulent elections of the 1970's, and saw their parents voting in 1945 for a new world order of hope and opportunity after the calamitous events of the Second World War. And yet, some 18-24 year olds- so often reminded of their good fortune by their grandparents- choose to disenfranchise themselves with ‘what-is-the-point apathy’. This is at odds with many of their peers who have been energised by Jeremy Corbyn's Labour party promises many of which are aimed at the young. 

We are in desperate need of political education within schools, as part of the curriculum's Citizenship modules. To discuss the electoral process and inspire debate and engagement at an earlier age, rather than expecting 18 year olds to independently become interested and see politics as directly influencing their choices in life, which clearly hasn't happened. To instead, remind young people that when the times comes, their vote will matter. Surely we want our young people to revel in the process of voting, a hard one right and sure-fire way to make the establishment listen, and the only way to ensure that local and country-wide politicians know how they stand on issues as well as the changes they want to see in their communities? 

As no matter how much you earn, or where you live your vote is counted with the same value as a media mogul or party faithful. So vote, vote and vote again!