Voter Apathy Is Letting The Next Generation Down – It's Time To Change That

“I Can’t Even Vote – But Your Choice Still Affects Me.”

A 16-Year-Old Speaks Out About Voter Apathy, Electoral Reform, and the Need for Youth Representation.

At sixteen, you can pay taxes, work full-time, and even join the army. But you can’t vote. For many young people, this feels unfair—especially when it’s their futures being shaped by decisions they didn’t get to have a say in. Even worse is watching eligible voters not even bother to use the right that they don’t have.

A recent poll found that 1-in-4 people believe voting doesn’t make a difference. But that kind of apathy has consequences. In the 2024 General Election, turnout dropped to just 59.7%, the lowest since 2001. Meanwhile, 64% of voters believe the UK is in “a period of steep decline.” But how can we expect things to improve if nearly two-fifths of voters don’t even show up?

Many young people, I can’t help but ask:
Why wouldn’t you use your voice, when I don’t even have one yet?

People Are Giving Up On Democracy—But We Need to Fix It, Not Abandon It

A staggering 19% of 18–24-year-olds said they would prefer an unelected leader over a democratically elected one (FGS Global Radar Report). That’s terrifying. It shows how little faith some have left in the system—and it makes you wonder where we’re headed if we keep letting people switch off.

But that frustration isn’t unfounded. The UK’s First Past the Post voting system is part of the problem. In 2024, the Green Party, Reform UK, and SNP won 6.7 million votes combined, yet secured only 18 seats in Parliament. Meanwhile, the Lib Dems got half as many votes but won 72 seats.

That’s millions of people left unrepresented—and that’s why people feel like voting doesn’t matter.
In fact, a shocking 74% of all votes in the last election were “wasted” (Make Votes Matter). This creates a political system that rewards a small number of safe seats and shuts everyone else out.

If we want people to care about voting again, we need a proportional system that makes every vote count. Only then will people believe that their voice matters.

The Scandals Haven’t Helped Either

Recent years haven’t exactly restored trust in our political system.
Three Prime Ministers in two months.
Government officials breaking COVID rules while the rest of us stayed home.
Corruption scandals and cronyism making headlines.

Why would anyone want to vote for politicians who don’t follow their own rules?

We need reform—not just in how we vote, but in how our leaders are held to account. That’s why we support the creation of an independent Ethics and Integrity Commission to ensure those in power uphold the standards the public deserves.

It’s Time to Lower the Voting Age to 16

When people are excluded from politics, they grow up thinking it doesn’t matter.
At 16, many students are learning about politics every day in school, yet they can’t vote until they’re nearly 22 in the next general election. That’s six years of watching decisions being made without their input—six years of having no say.

In Scotland, where 16-year-olds can vote, youth turnout is higher than in other parts of the UK. Giving young people the right to vote doesn’t just help them feel included—it helps build a culture of engagement that lasts a lifetime.

If we want a future with better leaders, higher turnout, and real representation, we need to start involving young people now.

Let’s Build a Better System—for Everyone

Voter apathy is a choice many adults are making—but that choice has consequences for people like me who don’t yet get a say. We need:

A fairer voting system that makes every vote count
Action on political integrity, not just words
Youth voices in politics, starting by lowering the voting age to 16

Whether you’re frustrated with the system or not, please don’t give up on democracy. If you have the right to vote—use it. Not just for yourself, but for the future we’ll all share.

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