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Rishi Sunak appears as a mystical mage and Sir Keir Starmer is seen awkwardly boxing – these are not scenes from a fantasy novel, but rather the contents of memes and videos circulated among teenagers on TikTok by party campaigners.
In the continuation of our Bench Across Britain series, we brought our symbolic bench to the students of Cardinal Newman Catholic School in the bustling Luton metropolis, uncovering interesting insights into how the youth are keeping tabs on politics through the web.
“The Tories, Labour – I’m seeing it all,” shares Hope Campbell, 17, at the school. She’s quick to exhibit a digitally altered picture of the current prime minister as a wizard, captioned with a viral “aura” meme that’s a big hit among the teen crowd.
Hope elaborates: “Aura’s this whole thing – you get pluses for good deeds, minuses for not-so-good ones. Labour’s spin on it’s basically saying a Conservative vote will zap your aura score, and not in a good way.”
Eve Kelly and Hope Campbell discuss how political parties’ TikTok antics are ‘turning the election into a bit of a joke’
Hope, alongside her classmate Eve Kelly, also 17, believe Labour’s TikTok game is especially strong; presumably, their creative team boasts a Gen-Z member or two. Yet, the Conservatives aren’t quiet on the platform either, promoting a clip in which Sir Keir’s boxing prowess leaves room for improvement.
“His punching technique? Not top-notch,” Hope critiques. “The message’s clear: the punchbag’s got this round. It’s weirdly amusing to see parliament, of all institutions, engaging in satire.”
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Though these students are under the legal voting age – Labour’s advocating for lowering it to 16 – a chunk of the election’s agenda items will yet affect them. Between public smoking bans, mandatory math, to Sunak’s proposed national duty stint, they’re weighing in on policies that’ll sculpt their near futures.
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“Voting? With our lack of maturity?” A mix of students weigh in, revealing trepidation about their readiness for such responsibility. Francis Chin, 17, voices concern over potential familial pressure influencing their ballots.
Yet their voices carry an understanding of how policies crafted today will impact their tomorrows, such as the cost of education and housing, alongside societal challenges like youth gang and knife crime prevalence.
Francis Chin suggests parental pressure could sway the votes of young individuals if the voting age were lowered.
These discussions also tap into sentiments about compulsory national service, smoking bans, and the perceived neglect of youth interests and struggles by the current parties – particularly, a belief among some students like Hilary Matiwa, 17, that conservatives are not really in touch with the younger generation’s challenges.
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David shares his own perspective: “We’re the country’s future. We’re the ones who will live the consequences of today’s decisions. It feels like we’re not being heard; that there’s no balance in consideration for our demographic.”
As the election unfolds, it is evident that young people at Luton’s Newman Catholic School are tuned in, dissecting complex political narratives with ease. They are digitally savvy, socially conscious, and undeniably affected by what’s happening on the bench of British power, even if they can’t yet cast a vote.
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FAQs About Political Engagement Among The UK’s Youth
What are the ways in which UK political parties are engaging with the youth?
UK political parties are tapping into social media platforms like TikTok to create viral content, memes, and videos that resonate with a younger audience.
Why is lowering the voting age a topic of discussion?
Labour is proposing to lower the voting age to 16. The idea is that young people are already affected by policies and should have a say in decisions that impact their future.
What are some issues that young people in the UK are concerned about?
They are concerned about a range of issues, including the cost of education, the lack of youth centres, gang and knife crime, and the cost-of-living crisis.
What is the sentiment among the youth regarding compulsory national service?
Opinions are mixed, but many feel that while community involvement is positive, it should not be mandated.
How are young people in the UK accessing news about the general election?
Many are accessing news through social media, online platforms, and digital channels that cater to their media consumption habits.
