DofE CEO, Ruth Marvel issues response to polling commissioned by ‘Our Generation. Our Vote’ coalition

Polling commissioned by the ‘Our Generation. Our Vote’ coalition has found that 70% of young people don’t know the name of their local MP and two in five (39%) say they don’t understand what politicians do. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award CEO Ruth Marvel, a coalition member, has issued a response.

Ruth Marvel, CEO, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), said: “The outcome of the next general election will affect young people’s lives and futures for years to come so it’s important that all politicians listen to and engage with them ahead of the general election.

“The DofE’s own research* shows that a large proportion of young people are politically engaged but the belief that their vote wouldn’t make a difference, not knowing enough about the parties and that parties couldn’t be trusted to keep their promises, deter them from going to the polling station. Politicians who show they are listening will empower young people to take an interest in democracy and by doing so, will set the country up for future success.”

ENDS.

For details about the ‘Our Generation. Our Vote’ research, please contact Save the Children Media Office +44(0)7831 650409, [email protected]

Notes to editor:

• *The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) commissioned Thinks Insight & Strategy, an independent research agency, to conduct a mixed methods research project with 3,662 (survey: 3,644 and online community: 18) 14-24 year olds from across the UK between 28 February and 14 March 2024.
• The data shows that, while two thirds of young people had engaged in one or more political activities over the last three months, only four in 10 of those eligible to vote say they are likely to cast their ballot at the coming general election (rating likelihood of voting at least eight out of 10 on a 10 point scale). The remaining three fifths (61%) said they would be unlikely to vote (18% or were still questioning whether to head to the polls (43%).
• Reasons given for not committing to vote included the belief that it wouldn’t make any difference (31%), not knowing enough about the parties (30%) or that parties couldn’t be trusted to keep their promises (30%).

About Our Generation. Our Vote:

‘Our Generation. Our Vote’ is a coalition of organisations across the child rights, youth democracy and education sectors delivering an education project that aims to teach young people about politics and democracy. It will culminate in a mass-scale election where children across England and Wales will have the opportunity to cast their vote for candidates in their constituencies, with results announced on Friday 28 June.

Our Generation. Our Vote coalition members:

ACT (Association for Citizenship Teaching), Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Wales, Children’s Commissioner for Wales, First News, Girlguiding, I Have A Voice, London Borough of Newham Youth Empowerment Service, London Youth, My Life My Say, NCS (National Citizen Service), National Children’s Bureau, Platform4YP, RECLAIM Project, Save the Children, Shout Out UK, Sky FYI, First News, Teach the Future, The British Youth Council, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, The Politics Project, The Politics School, UK Youth, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, VotesforSchools, Young Citizens