Elections 2010: A student's perspective

According to Cameron students are part of the country’s ‘great ignored’ but as recent studies have indicated, they are well worth courting. Unlike older generations their party allegiances are less set, making them more susceptible to campaign techniques and policies deemed to be in their interests. Consequently, if motivated, students could have a decisive influence on who forms the next government.

Figures are showing an overall increase in interest from the 2005 General Election; however this is even greater amongst students with a ComRes poll indicating that 35% of 18- to -24-year-olds are determined to vote in this election, compared to 31% in 2005. Whilst a poll on ‘The Student Room’ shows that 89% of participants will vote, with their primary concern being the economy. Facebook has proved an influential political source and judging by the number election related status updates and groups such as ‘We got Rage Against the Machine to #1, we can get the Lib Dems into office!’, which has almost 140,000 members, young people are more engaged than in previous years. Miranda Hungerford, a recent graduate from the University of York, said: ‘In its potential, this is a really exciting election campaign, so yes, I will be voting, but in reality I’m afraid all the leaders are rather dull’. Suggesting it is the need for change, rather than the leaders or their policies, that is getting young people involved.

However the Democracy UK poll, of over 50,000 people, on ‘Who won the second leaders’ debate?’ conducted via Facebook, has the Liberal Democrats ahead with a substantial lead of 49%, compared to the Conservatives’ 26% and 25% for Labour. This support may be, in part, as a result of the Liberal Democrat’s belief that education should be free; resolving to abolish tuition fees- an attractive move for many students, which could help them win key target seats such as Guildford, home to the University of Surrey, or prevent The Conservatives from gaining York Outer, another marginal seat.

As several right-wing papers sought to attack Nick Clegg, reactions on Twitter took off with the hashtag ‘#nickcleggsfault’ proving one of the most popular in Britain, even prompting a song on the politics blog ‘Liberal Conspiracy’.

Whilst the Conservatives, who are traditionally popular with students, seek to enhance the university experience: providing a fairer deal for part-time and mature students, and freeing universities from detailed bureaucratic intervention, Labour is still committed to raising the numbers of students in higher education and those who receive grants.

2010 could be the closest election in recent years, with the possibility of a hung parliament, and the potential for the student vote to make the difference.

Add Comment

You must log in to submit a comment.