A generation apart? Youth politics, alienation and democratic renewal in Britain

Public debate about young people and politics is loud, contested – and largely wrong.

Our Visiting Fellow and recent PhD graduate, Dr Chris Bick, has co-authored a new report for the Institute for Public Policy Research, which draws on new analysis of British Election Study data and participatory workshops with young people from across Britain, to challenges three dominant narratives: the radicalising young male cohort; the hyper-polarised young electorate; and youth apathy.

Abstract

"Drawing on new analysis of British Election Study data and participatory workshops with young people from across Britain, this report challenges three dominant narratives:

• the radicalising young male cohort
• the hyper-polarised young electorate
• youth apathy.

None survives contact with the data.

More striking than what divides young men and young women is what they share: genuine political concern alongside a profound loss of confidence that the system can act on it.

Addressing this alienation is a matter not just of democratic health but also of political urgency: young people remain the most progressive generation in British politics and winning back their trust should be a priority for any progressive political project."