Research conducted by Ipsos Mori shows that young voters aged 18 to 24 are the least likely age group to vote in the upcoming UK general election on 4 July. Meanwhile, there is a record low level of voter confidence, according to the BBC. Despite this, some younger people are keen to exercise their democratic rights. Caldicot resident Kai Taylor will be voting for the first time and he believes that younger people are less likely to vote than older people. He recognises that every vote counts and feels that voting is important.
Another 18-year-old, Kayla Shaw from Newport, is considering voting in the general election but would like the information to be communicated more clearly. She believes that the complicated terminology of politics causes a lot of confusion. She talks about politics with her boss in order to gain a better understanding because the election results will impact her future.
Danielle Madden acknowledges that many young people feel that their votes won’t change anything but she disagrees. She has voted at every election she has been eligible for and suggests that the only way for change to occur is if more people vote. She feels that politicians are out of touch with the general public and haven’t lived the same experiences. Many politicians don’t understand the views of the younger generation or the difficulties faced by lower-income people.
Harri Thomas, aged 24, has voted twice before and intends to vote in this election too. He thinks that it’s important to vote and that people should exercise their democratic rights. He accepts that people have fought for the right to vote and therefore, that right should be used.
Interestingly, Newport played a part in fighting for the right to vote during the 19th century. The Chartists, a group striving for rights and influence for working-class people, marched into Newport on 4 November 1839 to protest. More than 50 people were seriously injured and around 22 died. Dr Elen Jones, vice-chair of Our Chartist Heritage in Newport, would like to see more young people actively involved in politics. While she understands the disillusionment people currently have with politicians, she explains that many have lost sight of what really matters and that more education in local history, like the Chartists, could empower people
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