Young Make Votes Matter - campaigning with the next generation of voters

November 21, 2024

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Young Make Votes Matter – campaigning with the next generation of voters

Over the past few hundred years, our society and democracy have developed and changed beyond recognition. However, our voting system has failed to keep pace. We believe that First Past the Post has no place in a modern democracy, and should be replaced by a system of Proportional Representation. If you agree, sign the petition. If you want to know why, read on:

Minority rule

The idea of a minority ruling over the majority goes against our most basic ideas about democracy. But with First Past the Post, it's the norm. For about 90% of the time since 1935 we've had single-party 'majority' governments, but not one of them had the support of a majority of voters. The Conservatives currently hold a majority of seats with just 43.6% of the votes. In the 2019 election they gained an extra 48 seats despite an increase of only 1.2% of the vote share. Almost since the first general election, politicians who most of us didn't vote for and don't agree with have had the power to govern the UK however they like.

Proportional Representation means majority rule, not minority rule. With PR, any government must have a majority of votes behind it - so in order to govern, a party needs to either work collaboratively with other parties, or persuade most of us to vote for it.

Demand Real Democracy

The idea of a minority ruling over the majority goes against our most basic ideas about democracy. But with First Past the Post, it’s the norm. For about 90% of the time since 1935 we’ve had single-party ‘majority’ governments, but not one of them had the support of a majority of voters. The Conservatives currently hold a majority of seats with just 43.6% of the votes. In the 2019 election they gained an extra 48 seats despite an increase of only 1.2% of the vote share. Almost since the first general election, politicians who most of us didn’t vote for and don’t agree with have had the power to govern the UK however they like.The idea of a minority ruling over the majority goes against our most basic ideas about democracy. But with First Past the Post, it’s the norm. For about 90% of the time since 1935 we’ve had single-party ‘majority’ governments, but not one of them had the support of a majority of voters. The Conservatives currently hold a majority of seats with just 43.6% of the votes. In the 2019 election they gained an extra 48 seats despite an increase of only 1.2% of the vote share. Almost since the first general election, politicians who most of us didn’t vote for and don’t agree with have had the power to govern the UK however they like.The idea of a minority ruling over the majority goes against our most basic ideas about democracy. But with First Past the Post, it’s the norm. For about 90% of the time since 1935 we’ve had single-party ‘majority’ governments, but not one of them had the support of a majority of voters. The Conservatives currently hold a majority of seats with just 43.6% of the votes. In the 2019 election they gained an extra 48 seats despite an increase of only 1.2% of the vote share. Almost since the first general election, politicians who most of us didn’t vote for and don’t agree with have had the power to govern the UK however they like.The idea of a minority ruling over the majority goes against our most basic ideas about democracy. But with First Past the Post, it’s the norm. For about 90% of the time since 1935 we’ve had single-party ‘majority’ governments, but not one of them had the support of a majority of voters. The Conservatives currently hold a majority of seats with just 43.6% of the votes. In the 2019 election they gained an extra 48 seats despite an increase of only 1.2% of the vote share. Almost since the first general election, politicians who most of us didn’t vote for and don’t agree with have had the power to govern the UK however they like.The idea of a minority ruling over the majority goes against our most basic ideas about democracy. But with First Past the Post, it’s the norm. For about 90% of the time since 1935 we’ve had single-party ‘majority’ governments, but not one of them had the support of a majority of voters. The Conservatives currently hold a majority of seats with just 43.6% of the votes. In the 2019 election they gained an extra 48 seats despite an increase of only 1.2% of the vote share. Almost since the first general election, politicians who most of us didn’t vote for and don’t agree with have had the power to govern the UK however they like.The idea of a minority ruling over the majority goes against our most basic ideas about democracy. But with First Past the Post, it’s the norm. For about 90% of the time since 1935 we’ve had single-party ‘majority’ governments, but not one of them had the support of a majority of voters. The Conservatives currently hold a majority of seats with just 43.6% of the votes. In the 2019 election they gained an extra 48 seats despite an increase of only 1.2% of the vote share. Almost since the first general election, politicians who most of us didn’t vote for and don’t agree with have had the power to govern the UK however they like.

The campaign for Proportional Representation (PR) in the UK is gaining momentum, driven by a recognition that our current First Past the Post (FPTP) – or winner-takes-all – voting system no longer serves the interests of voters. As the new Parliament beds in, we’ve been thinking about the next five years and how we win the campaign for PR. Growing the grassroots movement is at the heart of our plans. And young people are the group with the most at stake in creating a fairer and more inclusive political system.

“I voted in my first general election this summer, but I cannot say the same for my mates, who felt their vote didn’t matter and felt forced to vote for either Labour or the Tories, and they were right because 74% of votes were wasted this election, which is outrageous. This is what has motivated me, I want future generations to have a say and not feel forced into voting against their conscience.” – Josh Knox, Young MVM

Over the past few months, we’ve been working with a small group of young people to establish Young MVM. We’ve been impressed with their passion, digital savvy, and innovative thinking which makes them ideal advocates for PR. By involving young people in this campaign, we can amplify the movement’s message, inject new energy into the fight for electoral reform, and ensure a more democratic future for generations to come.

An increasing sense of powerlessness and apathy regarding our current electoral system spurred me into action working with Make Votes Matter to see how our democracy can better serve the underrepresented in our society. – Ella Eagle Davies, Young MVM

Future perspectives

Young people are the future of our society, and their engagement in shaping the political landscape is crucial for long-term change. The current FPTP system has, for many years, fostered short-term thinking and policy-making focused on winning the next election rather than addressing systemic issues. PR, on the other hand, encourages the consensus-building that is necessary to take effective long-term decisions. By nurturing young leaders in the PR movement, we want to foster a future-oriented approach to governance, driven by individuals who want a system that will serve them and future generations fairly and sustainably.

The young people we are working with are deeply invested in issues that require long-term solutions, such as climate change, social justice, and economic stability. Like us, they believe that PR provides a framework for more representative politics, enabling all voices to be heard and a broader range of policy priorities to be addressed. Young people, with their focus on sustainability and equity, naturally align with the ideals of PR, which values fairness, inclusivity, and cooperation.

The issues that myself and many young people hold as particularly pressing, be it the climate crisis, LGBTQ+ rights, or the protection of asylum seekers, will be forever harder to tackle while youth voters are ignored. – Reuben Bance, Young MVM

Disillusionment with the current system

Many young people feel alienated from the current political system, where FPTP means that millions of votes do not contribute to the final outcome. This lack of representation has created a climate of political disillusionment among youth, with many feeling that their votes don’t count. PR, however, offers an opportunity for every vote to matter, making young people more likely to engage with the political process.

Young people have shown repeatedly, in movements around climate action, racial justice, and gender equality, that they care deeply about change. Young MVM reflects a broader frustration with a system that doesn’t value their voices. By championing PR, these young people can actively advocate for a system that better represents their diverse perspectives and values, ultimately, we hope, creating a more engaged and politically active generation.

Mobilising the next generation of voters

One of the critical challenges facing any political campaign is mobilising voters. PR advocates know that systemic change requires public support, and young people are an ideal group to help build that momentum. With many young people voting for the first or second time, there is a unique opportunity to engage them in discussions about the type of political system they want.

But this engagement is hard, it takes time and MVM needs to think about how we can encourage, and champion young voters. Young people are also often the most open to change, as they haven’t spent as much time within the current system and are not as invested in maintaining the status quo. This openness to new ideas is vital for PR advocacy, as it challenges the entrenched belief that FPTP is the only viable system for the UK. By mobilising young people, we want to ensure that new voters are informed about the benefits of electoral reform and motivated to push for a political system that reflects the diversity of opinions within society.

Involving young people in the PR campaign is not just an opportunity—it’s a necessity. Their energy, creativity, and commitment to justice are essential to the movement, and with their support, we can build a political system that works for everyone, now and for generations to come.

I was lucky enough to be invited to speak at the Cambridge Union in October. I was so impressed by the depth of knowledge and understanding the young people present had about the political system. Their questions were insightful – and challenging – and I left the debate convinced that our platform needs to be shared with them, and that’s what we will do with your help. You can support this work by donating to our crowdfunding campaign. – Emma Harrison, MVM CEO

UK Parliament Week is an annual event, spreading the word about what Parliament is, what it does and how you can get involved. Parliament Week ends on Sunday 24th November 2024.

Photo credit: Josh Barwick

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