Why Is The Election Divided Between The Old And Young?
The Independent|May 30, 2024
In this battle for votes, it is often said there isn’t much difference between Labour and the Conservatives, especially on the broad thrust of economic policy. But one of the more striking features of the campaign is the very different ways the two main parties are chasing the support of particular generations.
SEAN O'GRADY
Why Is The Election Divided Between The Old And Young?

With every fresh policy announcement, the Conservatives seem to be targeting older voters while Labour is targeting the young. It exacerbates what has been a growing intergenerational divide. The latest in a long list of demographic dividing lines is Rishi Sunak's pledge to scrap "ripoff" or "Mickey Mouse" degrees. This polarising trend carries some important implications for the future of British politics.

How deep is the divide between old and young?

As deep as it can be. For example, the latest YouGov poll of overall voting intention puts Labour on 47 per cent to the Tories' 20 per cent, which is fairly normal these days. But among the 1824 age group, Conservatives only have 4 per cent support vs 65 per cent for Labour. In fact, it's not unusual to find the Conservatives languishing in fourth or fifth place behind the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and the SNP/Plaid among younger voters. Nigel Farage's Reform UK, it must be added, is even less fancied by the teenagers than the Tories.

Only among the over-65s does Sunak's party enjoy a lead, and even then a slim one - 36 per cent to 32 per cent. That age O is also Reform's strongest base, and why the Tories are working hard to peel them back by pointing out that a vote for Reform will put Starmer into No 10.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 30, 2024-Ausgabe von The Independent.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 30, 2024-Ausgabe von The Independent.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE INDEPENDENTAlle anzeigen
Murray to coach Djokovic for Australian Open title
The Independent

Murray to coach Djokovic for Australian Open title

Andy Murray will coach his longtime rival Novak Djokovic before and during the Australian Open in January.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024
Jones's complex legacy adds intrigue to must-win clash
The Independent

Jones's complex legacy adds intrigue to must-win clash

It was with not inconsiderable disappointment that news came through on Friday afternoon that illness had laid Eddie Jones low and the Japan head coach would be unable to conduct a planned press conference.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024
Mighty Springboks ensure Wales end year without win
The Independent

Mighty Springboks ensure Wales end year without win

Wales slumped to a 12th successive Test match defeat and head coach Warren Gatland saw the pressure ramped up on him as world champions South Africa won 45-12 at the Principality Stadium.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024
Jackson profits as Chelsea put the chaos behind them
The Independent

Jackson profits as Chelsea put the chaos behind them

In typically unconvincing fashion, Chelsea march on, thanks to the striker who is now, nestled nicely in Erling Haaland’s slipstream, perhaps the Premier League’s second-most-effective marksman.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024
Arsenal's heartbeat returns to restore missing quality
The Independent

Arsenal's heartbeat returns to restore missing quality

The Emirates rose to its feet as soon as it became clear Martin Odegaard would be departing.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024
City slump to fifth straight defeat after Spurs mauling
The Independent

City slump to fifth straight defeat after Spurs mauling

Five in a row has taken on a different meaning for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024
‘No zero-risk flight paths remain over Middle East’
The Independent

‘No zero-risk flight paths remain over Middle East’

Aviation group warns of dangers ranging from attacks by Houthi rebels to overloads of air traffic control systems

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024
Satellites spy North Korea’s huge imports of Russian oil
The Independent

Satellites spy North Korea’s huge imports of Russian oil

North Korea has allegedly imported more than a million barrels of oil from Russia this year, flouting United Nations sanctions, according to satellite analysis.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024
Cop29 secures last-minute $300bn climate finance deal
The Independent

Cop29 secures last-minute $300bn climate finance deal

Delegates finally agree after a dramatic day of prolonged negotiations and loud protests echoing through corridors

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 24, 2024
Rabbits with missing eyes and ears had deadly virus
The Independent

Rabbits with missing eyes and ears had deadly virus

Dozens of rabbits found dead with missing eyes and ears had a \"dangerous\" and \"highly contagious\" form of hepatitis, according to the RSPCA.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024