Keir Starmer is calling for a general election following the resignation of Liz Truss. It begs the question of how unpopular is Keir Starmer himself within the newest generation of voters? Labour is regarded as the more appealing party compared to its conservative counterpart in the eyes of the younger demographic but to what extent is Labour reaping the new generations votes. During March 2019, Keir Starmer was elected leader of the Labour party overtaking the “youths’ trooper” Jeremy Corbyn.
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Why is there a contrasting difference? Only 36% of labour voters from the ages 18-24 believe Starmer is doing well as of October 2022. Some might say it is down to his lack of charisma. Or perhaps down to his lack of innovation. At least with Corbyn, the youth had a sense of empathy regarding his lower tuition university fees.
Jess Barnard, Chair of young Labour writes on the betrayal of the party’s attitude towards the younger demographic. She says we have seen our labour government at war with its members and trade union affiliates.
“Labour is more concerned with appealing to the right-wing media than defending the people who campaign for a Labour government”– Jess Barnard.
What does Starmer even stand for?
Before the 2019 succession, there were actual reinforced ideas and debates to empower the young labour votes. They were driven by Corbyn’s policies to fund education, apprenticeships, a reliable benefits system specifically for disabled people, and improvements to public services. Polls at the time showed that the 18-24 age bracket and students – as well as black and minority ethnic voters – were the key groups Corbyn found strong support.
By the end of 2021, Labour had lost 100,000 members. Could this be because the centrist stance notably seen with Starmer is enough to make some people feel as if the identity of labour has been concealed and untransparent. With the young deliberately identifying with the core left and its values, this has not left much room for a transition under his leadership. Either adapt to his manifesto (as mystifying as it is) or explore other ideologies.
What policies is Keir Starmer offering the younger demographic to incentivise their vote? Starmer has not backed public sector pay increases in line with inflation, currently running at almost 10%, despite serious pressure. His plan is rather to insulate at least 19 million homes and bring down inflation by freezing energy cap bills. It seems Starmer’s priorities are nestled in the green approach of environmentalism rather than protecting workers’ strikes and pay.
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Backlash following Union Strikes
Starmer objects to strikes and the activism behind them. Labour is taking a pro-business stance and is appearing moderate which lets down the representation for the trade union voters. What happened to the voice of trade union employees? Labour is meant to be a party for all levels of employment across the United Kingdom. How dare they object the importance of strikes. Starmer is only betraying his Party and its fundamental policies even more.
His concerning choice to sack Sam Tarry MP, the shadow transport minister for joining a rail picket line in support of strikes has caused an immense backlash. It brings up the question of is labour no longer in alliance with trade unions. The backlash following the sacking which has no doubt caused a division, could not have come at a worse time; the cost-of-living crisis is raw and alarming.
The new generation of voters are forward-thinking and are building a legacy on acts of activism. 70% for those aged 18-34 support the rail strikes. The support from the public concerning the “summer of strikes” shows the drastic need for change. However, with Starmer turning his back on the party “for all people”, this no doubt leaves a bad taste in labour supporters’ mouth, his popularity within new young voters is starting to plummet beyond repair.
An epidemic of disillusionment
With controversy and confusion surrounding Starmer’s position it comes with little surprise that the attitude towards him has turned into disillusionment. Accessibility to different organisations and manifestos encourages people to discover new fringes of politics. We are seeing a rise in (some) non-mainstream political groups. Young people are prone to reconnecting with these unions simply because they offer ideas and beliefs that are supplying answers to the current crises and have consistent beliefs.
“Faith in democracy: millennials are the most disillusioned generation ‘in living memory’– Cambridge University.
The University of Cambridge has been gathering global data since 1973 and has found young people’s faith in democratic politics is now lower than any other age group.
I spoke to one student from Sussex University at the Revolution Festival hosted by Socialist Appeal in London on 23rd October who speaks of his disillusionment. Teddy S, 20, Speaks out on his crossing to the Marxist society, having originally come from Labour roots.
Teddy experienced disillusionment and felt complete led down in the party. Buying a house in London is an impossibility. He saw contradictions in capitalism and saw communism as the next stage of society. Teddy views Keir Starmer as a disappointment specifically because he offers nothing new to any of the demographics.
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“Keir Starmer simply relies on the fact that the right wing will keep exposing the failures of capitalism. He is assured the vote will go to him” – Teddy S, Sussex University.
Teddy further states that we need to demand more in a time where crisis is ever present. The truth is Labour is in trouble with future young voters. Starmer has left little to the imagination with his vague ideas currently circulating his political atmosphere. Gen-Z are straying further away from democracy, particularity focusing on young labour supporters. They are getting lost in the midst’s of the political playground.
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