Your Vote, Your Future: Why Young People’s Participation Matters in the General Election

With the upcoming UK general election on 4th July, you may be considering the importance of your vote. Does it really matter? The answer is a resounding yes, and now more than ever before.

Zara Webb, 21 (she/they), is a second-year sociology student at Durham University. Passionate about youth involvement in politics, Zara serves on The Mix’s Youth Advisory Board, working to amplify young voices and inspire positive change.

Despite 18- to 24-year-olds making up a significant proportion of the UK population (approximately 5.5 million according to the 2021 census) their turnout in elections of all kinds is notoriously lower than that of older generations. One study found that just over half participated in the 2019 general election, whilst in contrast, individuals over 75 had a turnout exceeding 80%. Such discrepancies have meaningful consequences for young people and their representation within politics.

If you are 18 or over, voting in the upcoming election is crucial. For thousands of young people across the UK, this may be the first time their voices and the issues that matter to them are truly heard in the political process. Many individuals and groups across time and place have been, and continue to be, disenfranchised and denied political representation. In the UK, voting is a right that upholds the principles of democracy and ensures your voice is heard in the decisions that shape your future. This is particularly important as general elections usually only occur once every 5 years.

It is an exciting opportunity to make your own decisions about what matters to you—allowing you to make informed choices on the issues that affect you and the changes you want to see. While open, balanced conversations and debates about politics are crucial, remember not to feel pressured to vote a certain way just because family or friends might. The secret ballot ensures you can vote for who you believe in without needing to disclose your choice to anyone. In making such decisions, you are shaping your own future and that of the UK.

As a young person, your voice matters

• If young people don’t vote, their interests and concerns are less likely to be prioritised. Politicians are more likely to focus on the needs of demographics that vote in larger numbers (usually older generations). This means that issues like affordable education, climate change, and youth unemployment might not get the attention they deserve.
• Your participation as a young voter is crucial, regardless of your chosen candidate. Politicians often weigh voter turnout when shaping policies. A high voter turnout among a specific demographic (i.e. young voters) can influence politicians to prioritise policies that benefit them, aiming to secure their votes in the future or maintain their support. Therefore, even if you reside in a ‘safe seat’ where the election outcome is perhaps more predictable, your vote still matters.
• The outcome of the election impacts you both directly and personally. MPs aren’t only responsible for national policy; they also address local issues and offer support to their constituents. You can approach them for advice on specific matters (and they have a duty to listen and respond accordingly) or ask them to advocate for an issue in Parliament.
• If you don’t feel any party or candidate aligns with your views, you can spoil your ballot. In doing so, you demonstrate active disengagement rather than apathy. Blank and spoiled ballots are counted and reported, and if their numbers rise, major parties will notice and may work to reconnect with these voters.

If you are not yet 18, you can still get involved—join your local Youth Council, engage through petitions and education, pre-register to vote (if you are 16+), and discuss politics with your family and friends to debate about the issues that matter most to you.

Next steps

• Stay Informed: Educate yourself on the parties, their manifestos, and the candidates standing in your constituency. Check out local and national debates, do your own research, follow news coverage (from multiple sources to get a broader perspective), and discuss the issues with friends and family.
• Vote!: Whether it’s in person, by post, or by proxy, make sure you cast your vote on election day if you are registered. Remember to bring a valid form of ID, or you will be turned away. Every vote counts and your voice matters.

Voting is a powerful tool for change. By participating in the upcoming general election, young people can make their voices heard and ensure that their concerns are addressed by those in power. Don’t let others decide your future for you—take charge, get involved, and vote.

What do you want to see in your next government?

A group of young people shared their thoughts on what our next government should focus on…

“Mental health funding for places”

“For me, mental health, NHS and education are right up there in my priorities – especially from doing my masters and realising just how much more needs to be done for sectors such as CAMHS to best meet the needs of young people. I do also think housing/employment are important issues especially as a young person who (although not in a position to move out) has seen the substantial challenges facing young adults regarding house and first-time buyers. I think they’re all important issues, but as someone who is passionate about the mental health of young people, I completely believe more needs to be done in that area.”

“SEN funding”

“For me, mental health, NHS and education are right up there in my priorities – especially from doing my masters and realising just how much more needs to be done for sectors such as CAMHS to best meet the needs of young people. I do also think housing/employment are important issues especially as a young person who (although not in a position to move out) has seen the substantial challenges facing young adults regarding house and first-time buyers. I think they’re all important issues, but as someone who is passionate about the mental health of young people, I completely believe more needs to be done in that area.”

“I definitely feel like the NHS needs to be given more funding and sorted out properly. Especially the wait times in A +E and the beds situation as sometimes there are people who need a bed but have to wait for hours just to get one and their condition could be critical. This need is quite personal to me as well as I had a family member who was in the ED for over three days just to be seen for a serious hip infection. Also I wish the NHS prioritised mental health properly and treated crisis situations like they should than just discharging people. I also feel like counselling services need to be improved because sometimes some types of counselling is still outdated and needs updating as well as them only lasting six weeks too. It should be tailored towards the persons specific needs and what the person wants out of the session too. This might be me rambling a bit.”

“I want more rights and equality for both the lgbtqia+ community as well as for the transgender community. I feel like the big ups in power just want to isolate a lot of trans people and I think it’s so so wrong because they are human beings too. I know I cannot speak for all the people in the community but from what I have seen and heard, things needs changing and improving. Also they need to stop making laws that out people as this could be dangerous and harming to the person as well. Another thing I want more on is disability rights and more inclusion for neurodiverse folk like me.”

Useful resources

• The Electoral Commission has resources for young people.
• The My Vote, My Voice campaign supports neurodivergent individuals in voting.
• Here is an accessible, easy read guide to voting in the election.
• The Mix has plenty of articles and resources, so have a look around the website for further information.