Brexit: Young people’s votes could swing the result of the referendum

[rooster59]

Brexit: Young people’s votes could swing the result of the referendum



The outcome of the UK’s referendum on EU membership is too close to call. So which voters could help create a clear difference between the in or out.?

Young people between 18 and 24 represent 12 percent of the voting bloc and they could hold the key.

A debate – at London’s iconic Shard building – was a magnet for the latest generation of voters from 18 years of age and upwards, who want to have their say. But they are in a minority.

Euronews’ correspondent, Damon Embling reported from London: “According to polls, younger people tend to be more pro-European than older generations. But at last year’s general election, here in the UK, only 43 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds turned out to cast their ballot. And that’s why campaigners, this time around, are piling in resources to boost their numbers.”

The debate is part of that drive to shrug off the apathy among this age group and entice more young voters to the ballot box on June 23. All have different reasons for taking part.

“I’ve come here because I’m undecided and I’ve got a brother who’s very, very sure that we want to leave. I’ve got a dad who’s very, very liberal, very green, wants to stay. So I’ve come here to listen to some more balanced views,” explained 24-year-old Simon Truscott.

“A lot of people underestimate how important it is for young people. Obviously it affects education and what not. And I think it’s quite unfair that we undermine like the other effects, apart from immigration, that staying within or outside the EU, is,” said Linessa Mercurius.

Twenty-two-year old Ronan Hanna looked to the future to explain his thinking.

“I’m going to vote ‘in.’ I think it’s really important for everyone to have a say in the vote. I’m voting ‘in’ because I don’t feel that we will have a better future outside of the EU.”

But not all n the 18-24 age group are students. What of those who are working? Sam Sharp is employed in a factory in Kent. He can’t see any benefits for remaining in the European Union. He wants out.

“I’m voting leave, personally because I haven’t heard any good reasons from David Cameron why I should stay myself. He seems to just make things up as he goes along and he wants to scare people into staying in,” he said.

Dr. Darren Sharpe is a researcher who has been gathering the opinions of young people in the UK about the European Union and what it means to be a member of the bloc.

Most of those he contacted said they thought of themselves as European citizens. But a whopping 93 percent said they knew little or nothing about the European Union.

“This referendum is about emotions and identity as it as much about rational choice for which party or which body you’re voting for. So on a positive note, they felt European, they felt interconnected and integrated. But in terms of the bureaucracy, what governs us and impacts upon us, they know very little about. And they’re crying out for information,” he explained.

Charity ‘Bite the Ballot’ an independent agency wants to empower young people to take an active part in society. It has been taking to social media and holding workshops in communities – to try and drive up the number of young people registered to vote in the referendum.

Abiodun Olatokun is the Campaigns Manager for the charity.

“What’s been really interesting to see is how young people have rejected the establishment’s conversation about the European Union referendum. And instead want to talk about how it will affect them and their community which I think, by the end of a ‘Turn Up’ voter registration session, has been the big response we’ve seen across the board,” he said.

With so much at stake and the opinion polls so close campaigners are determined to try and get young people to the polling stations.

The two sides have presented their arguments and have got some young people talking but whether that will translate into a record number of votes next week is less certain.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-06-18

[MJP]

Roll on Thursday. Whatever the result, at least it'll be over.

[SgtRock]

Roll on Thursday. Whatever the result, at least it'll be over.

I fear you are wrong MJP

Whatever the result, it will not be the end.

To paraphrase.

It will only be the end of the beginning.

[MJP]

Roll on Thursday. Whatever the result, at least it'll be over.

I fear you are wrong MJP

Whatever the result, it will not be the end.

To paraphrase.

It will only be the end of the beginning.

I'm registered to vote and I'll be voting leave. Purely for the fact the EU isn't a democracy and continues to amass more and more power without accountability.

[SgtRock]

Roll on Thursday. Whatever the result, at least it'll be over.

I fear you are wrong MJP

Whatever the result, it will not be the end.

To paraphrase.

It will only be the end of the beginning.

I'm registered to vote and I'll be voting leave. Purely for the fact the EU isn't a democracy and continues to amass more and more power without accountability.

I am in agreement with you MJP.

All I am saying, regardless of the outcome of the vote, it will not be the end.

Its only the beginning of a journey.

Either, into the world, free of the EU shackles. Or, headlong into a journey of full Monetary and Political Union.

[MJP]

Roll on Thursday. Whatever the result, at least it'll be over.

I fear you are wrong MJP

Whatever the result, it will not be the end.

To paraphrase.

It will only be the end of the beginning.

I'm registered to vote and I'll be voting leave. Purely for the fact the EU isn't a democracy and continues to amass more and more power without accountability.

I am in agreement with you MJP.

All I am saying, regardless of the outcome of the vote, it will not be the end.

Its only the beginning of a journey.

Either, into the world, free of the EU shackles. Or, headlong into a journey of full Monetary and Political Union.

You are correct. Under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, the withdrawal process takes two years I believe.

So why Osborne's "emergency budget"? Hmmmmm . . . . .

[geriatrickid]

Roll on Thursday. Whatever the result, at least it'll be over.

Not really. If Yes, then there is a 2 year transition period and the vote could be held again if reforms were then made. If No, Boris and others would keep revisiting the issue much as the viper of Scotland pushes her agenda, These things just go on and on, detsroying the economy. No one is ever happy with the result.

[SgtRock]

I fear you are wrong MJP

Whatever the result, it will not be the end.

To paraphrase.

It will only be the end of the beginning.

I'm registered to vote and I'll be voting leave. Purely for the fact the EU isn't a democracy and continues to amass more and more power without accountability.

I am in agreement with you MJP.

All I am saying, regardless of the outcome of the vote, it will not be the end.

Its only the beginning of a journey.

Either, into the world, free of the EU shackles. Or, headlong into a journey of full Monetary and Political Union.

You are correct. Under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, the withdrawal process takes two years I believe.

So why Osborne's "emergency budget"? Hmmmmm . . . . .

Osborne's Emergency Budget, which has been shot down in flames by just about anyone who knows about economics, his own Party and the Labour Party and only highlights what an incompetent fool he is.

Dodgy Dave's best mate and not an economic qualification to his name. Says it all really. fantastic way to try and run the UK.

Anyway, the emergency budget was in effect, his political suicide note. He will be gone very soon, as will Dodgy Dave.

As I said before, on another thread. This is the opportunity to get out of the EU. Deliver a swift kick in the swingers to UK Politicians. It is time that the concept of representing the electorate and not big business is hammered home to these so called Politicians.

[Ace of Pop]

God Elp England if those prats on Big Brother represents it's Youth

[Asiantravel]

this is unexpected

Exclusive poll: EU support falls after Jo Cox murder

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/06/17/exclusive-poll-eu-support-falls-after-jo-cox-murder/86031038/

[johnnysunshine]

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IT DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHAT THE PEOPLE DESIRE...THE PARLIAMENT HAS TO APPROVE AND THEY ARE ABOUT 70% FOR STAYING IN!

[Thaiwine]

If the MP's vote the motion down there will be a lot of jobless politicians at the next election with I suspect a lot of new Ukip MP's