Voices of the Future; the importance of young people in Politics

Curiosity is an innate human trait that has been carried down from our ancestors and is prevalent in our daily lives. So, it is only right that curiosity for subjects such as social issues and politics is growing. According to a recent survey of 11 to 25 year olds in the UK, conducted by the Electoral Commission, 72% said they wanted to be taught more about elections and politics in schools. Possibly due to a lack of knowledge and conversation towards this taboo discussion topic, young people’s confidence to vote or getting directly involved in helping shape our futures has been detrimentally affected.  

 In 2019, only 55% of people aged between 18 and 24 voted in the election, whereas in countries like France, 76% of the same age range voted in their 2022 elections. Whilst the United Kingdom is 4% above the United States’ percentage, it still ranks low in involvement of the younger generation. 

But why should young people get involved in politics? 

Did you know, the average age of the members of parliament in 2024 was estimated to be 48? Whereas older generations make decisions and policies, young adults can bring new and fresh perspectives into these discussions. These new ideas ensure that representation for the future is being included in decision-making on issues such as education, climate change, economy, social mobility. The future and livelihoods of children, teenagers and young adults are dependent on the choices made by the government and those within the entrenched walls of parliament. So why shouldn’t we have a say in these matters?  

Furthermore, taking part in political activities would aid young people in developing empowering skills like problem-solving, leadership and public speaking that would be beneficial in their futures. In the past, there have been some cases of youthful voices being heard. The youngest Prime Minister in both British history and world history was 24-year-old William Pitt the Younger, who held the position from 1783 to 1801 and again from 1804 to 1806. Considered a hugely influential figure, Pitt introduced Britain’s first income tax, stabilised national debt following the American Revolution, and led Britain through the Napoleonic Wars.  

 In more recent times, Greta Thunberg, Swedish environmental activist, began her political career at the age of 15 whilst holding the first “School Strike for Climate” in 2018; this created a global wave of uproar towards the need to deal with climate change. History and present times teach us that younger people can make a difference and raise their voices to address things in new and innovative ways. They strike up the conversations that others don’t feel ‘kids’ should have a say in.  

They and many others have trodden the path that allows Gen Z to have a chance to be heard; whether that be through youth parliaments such as the Worcestershire Youth Cabinet, newly voting at 16 years old, asking those questions that you feel are being unexpressed to your local MPs, or even learning about these things through schools or subject choices in college. There are a multitude of ways for finding out about politics and current affairs, so that if you get the chance, you can help to make a difference for a future that you want to live in.