The deadline to register to vote was last night – and as is stands, 30% of 20-24 year olds are now unable to have their say in the EU referendum, in comparison to just 5 percent of those over the age of retirement. Already, the figures are swayed against us; yet, undeniably, it is young people who will suffer the consequences of a Brexit. It is our future the country is voting on.
All the key figures in the referendum debate are 50+ and all the headlines are economic, but according to the Economist’s latest poll, 61 percent of young people support staying in the EU. So, apart from a few misguided attempts, why has no one tried to appeal to 18 – 34 year olds – some of the country’s most decisive voters?
Within Europe, 96 million young people have the opportunity to live and work abroad, travel and learn a new language – without visas or paperwork, and often funded by an EU body. The single aviation airfare has seen plane tickets drop over 40 percent, making travel accessible for young people for the first time; and the European Health Insurance Card allows access to the healthcare of European nations, should something go wrong. The EU allows British students access to hundreds of the world’s top universities in Europe, for a fraction of the cost of a £9000 pa British degree. Far from being irrelevant, young people in Britain have gained the most from being born into the European Union.
The last 60 years since World War 2 has been the longest period of peace that Europe has ever seen. Millenials are fortunate enough not to have seen, or been born in the aftermath, of war – so perhaps the idea of war in Europe is too foreign for us to even contemplate.
And yet, a United Europe is the reason that we have been lucky enough never to have experienced it. After two bloody World Wars between European nations, in 1945 we pulled our act together and – with a little help from the US – decided, for the first time in history, to work together as a continent. Since then, major European nations have never looked back. Admittedly, we were a little slow on the uptake – but by 1973 it was obvious the future of our country was better In than Out. Since then, European membership has expanded – the shared security and support, economic and political, coming from being part of a bloc of states has made the European Union the most desirable club in the world.
As a major world power, there’s no denying our international influence; we are a global financial centre and a key figure in international politics, so I’ve no doubt that the UK could stand alone – at least, for a while. But in a world of increasing globalisation, countries are getting closer together – not further apart. Throughout history, isolationist policies have always been a short-term solution – to war, to financial crashes, as a punishment – and have usually turned out to be a bad idea. Every time, it has been clear that working together has been more effective than standing alone. By 2016, this is surely a lesson we should have learned.
Yes, the European Union as it stands is not what we signed up for. It’s not perfect – in fact, there are parts that are downright undemocratic. And yet, looking at the history of the world, it is clear that Europe is better together. Better economically, socially, culturally. Less bigoted, more stable, more secure in the face of external threats – something worth bearing in mind, in the light of recent attacks on European capitals. A vote for Remain isn’t sanctioning the way the EU works at the moment, its a wake up call for the European Union to implement reform – which we can help to do, from the inside out.
But most importantly, whichever side you choose to vote for, VOTE. Be informed, make your decision and use your chance to have a say. Enough of our decisions are influenced by middle-aged men in suits – don’t let our future be one of them.
Miranda Wadham on 08/06/2016
