Don’t let others speak for us

Polls have shown that young people are most likely to back the UK staying in the European Union – however they are also the least likely to turn out to vote.

It is also young people who would be most likely to suffer from an exit from the EU, which could destabilise the UK economy and cause employment opportunities to deteriorate as businesses’ try to ride out any slump.

An Opinium survey for The Observer found that just 52 per cent of 18–34-year-olds would ‘definitely’ vote in the EU referendum, compared to 81 per cent of over-55s.

But polling by BMG Research carried out for the Electoral Reform Society found that only 21 per cent of 18–24-year-olds are ‘very interested’ in the referendum, compared to 47 per cent of over-65s.

Support for leaving the EU is high among voters older than 55 and eight in 10 of this age group say they will vote to leave the EU.

“The 18-34 demographic is key in the Brexit outcome and young people mustn’t allow older generations to decide their future for them,” said Anthony Curley, Unite youth coordinator.

A recent YouGov poll showed that 63 per cent of those aged between 18 and 29 want to stay in the EU, while 56 per cent of those over 60 want to leave.

The older demographic being more likely to turn out to vote than the young could be a significant advantage for the anti-EU campaign.

Raw deal

“Young people are already getting a raw deal in Britain and have the worst economic prospects for several generations,” said Anthony.

“Council homes that were sold off criminally cheap and never replaced has in effect cut the bottom steps off the property ladder for them and most young people now face a lifetime of flat shares and rip off landlords,” he added.

“Younger workers are increasingly trapped in insecure, zero-hours contracts instead of permanent employment which is more likely to provide access to training and workplace benefits, pensions and holiday entitlement,” said Anthony.

Latest ONS (office of national statistics) figures show that 16-24 year olds make up 38 per cent of those on zero-hours contracts.

“But young people could change the direction and future of the UK,” said Anthony.

On the day of the referendum 200,000 people will be dancing in a field at Worthy Farm, Somerset, miles from the voting booths in their constituencies.

Glastonbury festival organiser Emily Eavis has begun a campaign to encourage people coming to the festival to register for a postal vote and cast their vote before they go.

Ticket holders are being emailed with information on how to register for a postal vote and festival organisers will continue that right up until the cut-off dates.

“This is one of the most important votes we will ever have to cast in our lifetime. It’s so important that young people should make sure they go and vote on June 23 and have the chance to determine their own future,” said Anthony. “Once Britain is out of the EU that’s it – it’s gone forever,” he added.

To take part in the EU referendum you must be registered to vote by Tuesday 7 June. You can register to vote here.

To vote by post in the EU referendum, voters in Great Britain will have to submit a postal vote application by 5pm on Wednesday 8 June 2016, while voters in Northern Ireland will need to submit a postal vote application by 5pm on Friday 3 June 2016.