From excited to disillusioned: under-30s on politics and voting in UK elections

On Thursday afternoon, Joshua Holmes – a Bristol resident hailing from the area of Barton Hill – headed out to the polls in order to cast his vote in the local elections.

He mentioned that the voting area was quite calm and there weren't many people there. He also added that he might have been the most youthful voter present as no one else seemed to be young. He noticed that no one else in his shared house went out to vote, making him the only one to cast a ballot.

He had signed up to vote just over a month ago, and wasn't informed of an upcoming election until a few days ago.

He stated that he had to take an initiative to enroll for voting. Nobody reminded him to register, and two of his roommates revealed that they wished to cast their vote but had not completed their registration process yet.

Last month, we found a single Green party leaflet in our mailbox, but that's all we've received. It seems like this is the most impoverished neighborhood I've resided in Bristol, and there hasn't been any other information distributed about the upcoming election.

Holmes holds a degree in computer science, but he has been without a job for around a decade due to his challenged mental health, according to his statement.

"I'm really looking forward to the upcoming election," he expressed. "I used to support Corbyn but now I'm a big supporter of Starmer. Even though he has changed his opinion on some things, it seems like he has the potential to make significant improvements in the country."

There were numerous individuals below the age of 30 who expressed their stance on voting in UK elections this year to the Guardian, and Holmes was one of them. They also shared their thoughts about the concept of voting as a whole.

Numerous youngsters expressed their intention to vote not only in the local but also in the national elections. However, a considerable number of them were disappointed with the political options available. Some stated that they would probably not vote, some were unsure if they would bother, and some were undecided about who to vote for.

Many individuals expressed their dissatisfaction with how alike the Labour and Conservative parties' visions for the nation were. One of them is 25-year-old Alexandra, who resides in London and works in finance. She perceived this as a source of annoyance.

She expressed surprise at the idea that there might be doubt about her decision to vote or not.

Nonetheless, I feel disheartened and infuriated by our political leaders and representatives, to the point where I am pondering the true impact my vote will hold. Regardless of who triumphs in the elections, I struggle to envision a positive outlook for our nation, financial system, and communal amenities.

Alexandra and her partner are shelling out £1,625 every month for their single-bedroom apartment along with utility bills. Her yearly income stands at a tidy sum of £60k but with scope to stash away a small portion every month for a mortgage. Nevertheless, the thought of relocating to Canada or New Zealand is weighing heavily on her mind.

She shared that people are struggling to make ends meet in this place, and it seems like there are a lot of obstacles to overcome. The cost of living is too high, and owning a house is almost impossible. There's also the issue of climate change, which seems to be left unaddressed. To add to that, getting medical attention means relying on private care. It's not surprising that many of her peers have already moved overseas to find better opportunities, and the remaining ones are considering it.

I am leaning towards abstaining from voting since the Labour party appears to be out of touch with the worries of the youth. Additionally, I believe that there will be no substantial changes that could truly make a difference in our existence. It seems like the political parties do not take our opinions into account.

Several people stated that they will not participate in voting due to Keir Starmer's position on halting conflict in Gaza.

Ethan, a 28-year-old insurance representative from Newcastle, was among those who lamented the voting system that puts voters in a predicament where they have to choose between the two primary political parties.

"I won't cast my vote," he stated. "In past elections, I backed the Lib Dem party with genuine hope that they could bring significant change. But now, I won't deceive myself into believing that any party, except for Labour or Conservative, can truly influence anything."

Annie Wyatt, a 28-year-old based in Ipswich, works in HR. She stated that she also shares the worry regarding the efficiency of the two-party system. Nonetheless, Annie has faith that her voting power can have an impact in the country and local area's political state. She has consistently participated in all local and national elections that she was eligible to vote in.

It's far from perfect that the election only offers two options, regardless of how competent the other candidates might be.

In my opinion, casting your ballot is an important duty as a member of society. The previous national election saw a 65.6% participation rate from Ipswich residents and it's worth noting that the region has alternated between supporting Labour and Conservative parties. This fact strengthens my belief that each vote holds significant value.

Even though she plans to vote for the Labour party, she mentioned that their proposals haven't impressed her greatly.

They're not as amazing as I desire, but what other options do I have? I'm significantly worried about the disinterest in voting among my friends and acquaintances.

I have two brothers who are old enough to vote, yet they have never done so. I constantly remind them to register for a mail-in ballot, however, they feel unsure about which candidate to select since it can be daunting to stay informed on current events and politics.

Thomas Phillips, a 22-year-old teaching assistant hailing from Salford, has made up his mind to cast his vote. However, he has this nagging feeling that not much positive change will come out of it.

"I intend to participate in both the regional and forthcoming national elections, however, I am unconvinced that my involvement will have an impact," he stated.

Currently, I am worried about almost everything going on in this nation.

It appears that the Labour party is determined to disappoint, but they couldn't do worse than the current government. The decision to scrap HS2 to Manchester illustrates how lacking in ambition the UK is.

I anticipate that I will not be financially capable of having children until I reach my mid to late thirties. Additionally, I am concerned that I may not be able to afford living in Manchester due to the continuously rising cost of living.

He desires that the Labour party will make it a top priority to construct more affordable housing in convenient areas, combat the environmental crisis, and preserve the National Health Service.

"I also wish for Labour to take over the utility companies and the national railway system, implement HS2, and establish closer ties with Europe once again. However, I am not very hopeful about it. At this point, my main objective is to remove the Tories from power rather than electing Labour into office."

A software developer who is 27 years old from London and would like to maintain anonymity explained, "I am enrolled to vote, however, I will only cast my ballot if I have available time on election day."

I sense a lack of attention and inclusion in their policies. It appears to me that our government, regardless of political party, is often stuck in the same routine and unwilling to change. Our nation's approach lacks innovation and progressiveness.

She stated that until our government comes up with strategies to enhance our living standards, such as exploring the techniques employed by other nations, she will believe that casting a ballot is futile.

Kat, a 21-year-old from Kent, is nearing the finish line of her English literature degree and is currently seeking a full-time graduate position. She is experiencing a glimmer of optimism.

I have completed the voter registration process and have decided to cast my vote in favor of the Labour party.

I am receiving the highest amount of financial support for students, our family house is currently being leased, and my dad is dependent on Pip benefits due to a severe disability caused by a brain injury he sustained last year.

In my opinion, the policies of the Labour party do not adequately address crucial issues such as climate change. Some of their policies have been diluted in some way, but I comprehend the reasons for it. Personally, and among my peers, it is unacceptable to vote for the Conservative party.

Numerous individuals have modest goals, such as making adequate money to avoid worrying about the cost of groceries, renting without it heavily impacting our finances, and not having to select between warmth and electricity.

"I sincerely hope that the Labour party will be able to lead us out of this situation that is not sustainable."