Young people and students have consistently been marginalised within Westminster politics. As of 2023, 55% of young adults (18-24) in the UK say that the UK democracy doesn’t serve them well, compared to just 19% in support. The two major parties consistently go for the larger and older voting demographics who are much more likely to vote. Students have to stop giving their votes to parties that don’t represent them, and vote for a party that does. That party is the Greens. Consistently their legislative agenda has matched the interests of students. Beyond their obvious climate-conscious perspective, their social policies of scrapping tuition fees, rejoining the EU and building over 100,000 council houses, to address our ever-worsening housing crisis, show their commitment to the lives of young people. These are policies that are popular. Objections to the Greens are often not based in policy but in ideas it is a “wasted vote” or “gifting the election to the tories”.
We can change this. While nationally over 65s are 27% more likely to vote, students can make their voices heard. Students are typically concentrated in certain areas and within university towns and cities can have a significant influence. We can see this in Bristol. As the student population rises in the city, increasing by 17% between 2012 and 2018, the Greens have seen their influence grow. The 2021 local elections made the Green party the joint largest in Bristol, alongside Labour, holding 24 seats, their best ever return. Bristol Central is now the seat most likely to join Brighton Pavillion in voting green, as polls place them at a 78% chance of winning over Labour. The City of Edinburgh likewise, is a city that is home to thousands of students. 69,815 according to the 2022 census. If students organise and turn out to vote, we can make Edinburgh the next city which will see a shift to the Greens.
While the Greens will not win a national election, Green members of parliament are key to having students and young people’s voices heard. Beyond their role as members of parliament, with the platform this gives, more green seats will put pressure on the Conservatives, and particularly Labour, to give us a policy agenda that suits our interests. Not just the interests of donors, homeowners and pensioners. We have an opportunity here, registering to vote only takes five minutes and you can register both your home and university address. We will have an election this year and when that time comes, vote for a party that works in your interests. Register to Vote. Vote Green.
Image via “Carla Denyer cheering with Green Party activists, placards and banner” by Bristol Green Party is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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The Greens need students and students need the Greens
Young people and students have consistently been marginalised within Westminster politics. As of 2023, 55% of young adults (18-24) in the UK say that the UK democracy doesn’t serve them well, compared to just 19% in support. The two major parties consistently go for the larger and older voting demographics who are much more likely to vote. Students have to stop giving their votes to parties that don’t represent them, and vote for a party that does. That party is the Greens. Consistently their legislative agenda has matched the interests of students. Beyond their obvious climate-conscious perspective, their social policies of scrapping tuition fees, rejoining the EU and building over 100,000 council houses, to address our ever-worsening housing crisis, show their commitment to the lives of young people. These are policies that are popular. Objections to the Greens are often not based in policy but in ideas it is a “wasted vote” or “gifting the election to the tories”.
We can change this. While nationally over 65s are 27% more likely to vote, students can make their voices heard. Students are typically concentrated in certain areas and within university towns and cities can have a significant influence. We can see this in Bristol. As the student population rises in the city, increasing by 17% between 2012 and 2018, the Greens have seen their influence grow. The 2021 local elections made the Green party the joint largest in Bristol, alongside Labour, holding 24 seats, their best ever return. Bristol Central is now the seat most likely to join Brighton Pavillion in voting green, as polls place them at a 78% chance of winning over Labour. The City of Edinburgh likewise, is a city that is home to thousands of students. 69,815 according to the 2022 census. If students organise and turn out to vote, we can make Edinburgh the next city which will see a shift to the Greens.
While the Greens will not win a national election, Green members of parliament are key to having students and young people’s voices heard. Beyond their role as members of parliament, with the platform this gives, more green seats will put pressure on the Conservatives, and particularly Labour, to give us a policy agenda that suits our interests. Not just the interests of donors, homeowners and pensioners. We have an opportunity here, registering to vote only takes five minutes and you can register both your home and university address. We will have an election this year and when that time comes, vote for a party that works in your interests. Register to Vote. Vote Green.
Image via “Carla Denyer cheering with Green Party activists, placards and banner” by Bristol Green Party is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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