Amid the vibrant atmosphere of reggae beats, the scent of cannabis, and the warm sunshine at Glastonbury, a significant message stands out: “use your superpower” and vote in Britain’s July 4 election. The Just Vote campaign has set up a large black cube symbolizing a ballot box at the five-day festival in southern England, aiming to inspire young people to vote.
Polls suggest an easy victory for Labour under Keir Starmer, but there’s concern that young people—who historically have lower turnout rates—might not vote. This is worrisome for Labour, as complacency could lead to better-than-expected results for the Conservatives. Polling by YouGov indicates that the majority of voters aged 18-49 desire a change after 14 years of Conservative governance marked by numerous scandals, strikes, and declining public services.
Glastonbury attracts around 200,000 revelers, and the voting intentions among them vary. While some plan to support smaller parties, others are focused on voting the Conservatives out, and a segment of the crowd may not vote at all. Many festival-goers assume a Labour victory and prefer to back parties that align more closely with their specific concerns, such as climate change and international issues like Gaza.
Under Starmer, Labour has shifted towards the center, moving away from the hard-left politics of former leader Jeremy Corbyn, who enjoyed rock-star-like popularity at Glastonbury in 2017. Starmer’s centrism has led some, like Ellie O’Connell from Salford, a Labour stronghold, to consider voting for smaller parties like the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition. Others, like Charles Olafare from south London, see little difference between Labour and the Conservatives and are contemplating voting for the Green Party, which supports higher taxes on the wealthy, abolishing university tuition fees, and advancing the UK’s net-zero target to 2040.
Despite these views, many younger voters still lean towards Labour to unseat the Conservatives. Harvey Morrey, 20, believes the race in his constituency will be close, so he plans to vote Labour. Meanwhile, some, like 23-year-old Louis Billett, will abstain from voting due to a lack of knowledge and inspiration from the current candidates. Turnout among 18-24-year-olds was around 52% in the last election, compared to 81% for those over 75.
The Just Vote campaign, supported by Labour donor Dale Vince, aims to encourage participation among the youth. Volunteer Verel Rodrigues noted that while the campaign is convincing some to vote, it doesn’t reach everyone. Sammy Henderson, 23, typically supports the Green Party but is considering Labour to prevent another Conservative government, despite her reservations about Starmer as prime minister.
The effort at Glastonbury underscores the critical role of youth participation in shaping the future political landscape of Britain.
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