Labour's Youth Vote Conundrum: Corbyn Edges Ahead of Starmer Among Young Voters

Strategic Insights -

Jeremy Corbyn has sparked a surge in popularity among 18-24 year-olds, with a new poll showing he has a significant advantage over Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in this age group, according to a YouGov survey. The poll, conducted on the day Mr Corbyn announced his new party, found that the left-wing politician has a rating of plus 18 among 18-24 year-olds, compared to Sir Keir's approval rating of minus 30 among the same group. This is a significant concern for the Labour party, which has announced plans to extend the vote to 16 and 17 year olds, potentially diluting the impact of its message among older voters.

Key Takeaways:

  • Corbyn's approval rating among 18-24 year-olds is plus 18, compared to Starmer's minus 30, suggesting a significant divide in popularity within the Labour party.
  • The YouGov polling for The Times suggests that extending the vote to 16 and 17 year olds may actually split the electorate further, rather than uniting young voters behind the Labour party.
  • 7 in 10 voters think Sir Keir's government is at least as chaotic as the Tories' previous term, with one in three voters believing it is more chaotic.
  • The government has announced plans to give the vote to 16 and 17 year olds, expanding the electorate by 1.6m people at the next election.
  • Over 200,000 people have signed up to Corbyn's new party, launched alongside former left-wing Labour MP Zarah Sultana.

Statistics:

  • 2,013 adults were polled by YouGov between July 24 and 25.
  • Corbyn's approval rating among 18-24 year-olds is plus 18.
  • Starmer's approval rating among 18-24 year olds is minus 30.
  • 7 in 10 voters think Starmer's government is at least as chaotic as the Tories' previous term.
  • 1 in 3 voters believe Starmer's government is more chaotic than the Tories' previous term.

Sources:

  • "Labour's youth vote conundrum: Corbyn edges ahead of Starmer among young voters", The Times, 2023, cited in YouGov polling for The Times.
  • "New party founded by Jeremy Corbyn to attract young, "exhausted" Labour voters, They will be the ones who will actually oppose against this new political move", No date, cited in "Corbyn launches own party amid growing discontent with Labour", The Times.