2024 witnessed a significant number of younger politicians elected to office, but will more young MPs automatically lead to better outcomes for younger generations?
Alana McDermott
It’s fair to say that the UK parliament has traditionally been a bit of a gerontocracy; an institution dominated by older politicians. The average age of MPs has been around 50 for the past 45 years, a reflection of the very clear disengagement young people have with electoral politics. A 2022 report by the UK parliament said ‘60% of 18-25 year olds think politicians don’t care’, revealing the stark divide between those in power and young people across the country.
In regards to the most recent general election, constituencies where a large proportion of the local population are older had a considerably higher turnout rate than those where the local population is younger, according to the IPPR. But unlike previous elections, 2024 witnessed a significant number of younger politicians elected to office. Some may be hopeful that more young people will help turn the tide of youth disengagement and create better policies to address young people. But will more young MPs automatically lead to better outcomes for younger generations?
Efforts to enhance political youth representation have included various government and civil society initiatives. The UK Youth Parliament, established in 2000 and now run by the National Youth Agency, provides a platform for young people aged 11-18 to engage in the democratic process. In March 2024 the closure of the British Youth Council meant that the opportunities for young people to have their voices heard was jeopardised, so it was up to the NYA to secure this right for young people going forward into 2024/25 in the face of financial struggle. This body allows its youth members to debate in the House of Commons and influence policy on issues affecting young people.
Increasing youth representation can also enhance political engagement and trust among young voters, combatting the belief that MPs don’t care about the future of the youth. When young people see their peers in positions of power, they are more likely to feel that their voices matter and that they have a stake in the political system.
However, there are unique barriers to young people’s participation in politics, such the high cost and complexity of running as an MP. Many young people lack the financial resources and networks required to launch successful political campaigns. Furthermore, political parties often prioritise experienced candidates with financial support, which can marginalise young aspirants.
There is also a prevailing perception that young people lack the necessary experience to handle the complexities of parliamentary work, as 22 year old Sam Carling experienced when criticised for his age. This stereotype can deter young people from pursuing political careers and influence voters' decisions at the polls.
Despite all of these factors, the UK has seen a modest increase in the number of young MPs. The 2019 General Election resulted in the election of several MPs in their twenties and early thirties, including Nadia Whittome, who at 23 became the youngest MP, earning the title of "Baby of the House." This influx of younger MPs indicates a positive trend, yet the overall number still fell short of a proportionate representation of the youth demographic in the UK. Young people make up approximately 19% of the voting population, but only around 2.8% of the MP’s in parliament. As of now, the current ‘Baby of The House’ is 22 year old North West Cambridgeshire MP, Sam Carling, who is followed closely in age by 24-year-olds Josh Dean, MP for Hertford and Stortford, and Euan Stainbank, MP for Falkirk.
The 2024 election has seen the welcoming in of the first MP’s born in the 2000’s. Youth representation in the Houses of Parliament is still crucial for several reasons, firstly being that it encourages future-oriented policies; young MPs are more likely to advocate for policies that address long-term issues such as climate change, digital innovation, and education reform. Younger politicians also bring diverse perspectives and experiences that can enrich parliamentary debates and decision-making processes, ensuring that legislative agendas are forward-thinking and reflective of future needs.
The growing presence of young voices in parliament does signify a positive step towards a more inclusive and representative political system. From increased numbers of young MPs to vibrant youth-led movements, there is a clear momentum indicating that the younger generation is more politically engaged than ever.
However, despite this progress, youth representation alone is insufficient to create the substantive changes needed to secure a better future for young people in the UK. There is a misguided expectation that individual young politicians will inherently advocate for policies that resonate with their peers, such as addressing climate change, affordable education, housing, and social justice. The Labour Party has largely moved away from many leftwing policies often favoured by younger generations.
While representation is generally positive, it is nothing if not authentic, structurally supported and active. A politician may be a young person, but they are still a politician, which is still a world away from the rest of us. The recent vote on whether to scrap the two-child benefit cap, a policy that arguably would support many young people’s wellbeing and development, was voted against by a number of young politicians as well as older MPs.
If young politicians fail to champion the issues that matter most to their generation, this could lead to widespread disillusionment. Young voters who may have turned out in the hopes of seeing their concerns addressed may feel betrayed and disheartened if we don’t start seeing these so-called ‘barriers to opportunity’ for young people being broken down as Labour promised in their manifesto. This disillusionment can quickly translate into further political apathy, reducing future voter turnout and engagement. The sense of having no real representation or voice in the political process can demoralise a generation and diminish trust in the democratic system.
While the increased presence of young people in UK politics is a step in the right direction, it is not a panacea for the challenges facing the younger generation. Structural, economic, and cultural barriers continue to inhibit the ability of young representatives to enact significant changes. For the future of the UK to truly reflect the aspirations of its younger citizens, a broader transformation of the political and economic systems is necessary.
This includes revising the electoral system to allow for more proportional representation, which would better reflect the diversity of the electorate. Additionally, greater transparency and limits on the influence of lobbying groups, as well as reforms to party structures to empower younger members, are essential.Only then can the full potential of youth representation be realised, leading to a future where the voices and needs of young people are genuinely prioritised.
Representation, diversity and inclusion can only be truly positive when we begin to truly see real changes as a result of the inclusion. Otherwise it can feel more like diversity for diversity’s sake; feigning positivity but essentially never making true changes. And there’s nothing particularly exciting about that.
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