Insight into whether or not London students will be tactically voting in the upcoming general election.
With the election only three days away, politicians are scrambling to swing the undecided votes in their direction. Labour party member and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, John McDonnell took part in a Q&A this morning, stating that this election is “about saving the NHS”; whilst current Prime Minister, Boris Johnson is visiting four Labour seats to project his trademark “Get Brexit Done” message.
Despite the promising efforts from both parties, it seems that some younger individuals are choosing to vote against the Conservatives, rather than for Labour. This is called tactical voting and it’s the selection of a candidate that has a likely chance of unseating another, instead of who’s policies you believe in.
Speaking to a handful of individuals at the Regent Street campus of the University of Westminster, it’s been made clear that some students, even though they do not particularly agree with Jeremy Corbyn’s ideas, feel that if Labour get in “we can somehow change it and get over it”. Whereas plans by the opposing Conservative party, they “don’t believe in”.
Listen to what students had to say here:
The main issue with younger voters is the floating speculation of Boris Johnson’s plans to privatise the NHS. One individual was particularly horrified by this idea, making evident that “we can’t control when we need medical care…it seems completely out of line for me”.
Other students may not be tactically voting, but do believe the country is in need for a change of government. First-time voter Alim, revealed that he thinks “Conservatives have been in charge for way too long now and Labour should be given a chance”. Similar to Amy, who mentions that it’s time to “make a change”.
One young man was completely against the idea of voting at all, and another wished he could vote tactically, but lived in “a safe Conservative seat” area.
Twitter has been a scene of divide with some users campaigning for Labour and others demonstrating confidence in another Conservative government. Similar to the students at Westminster, certain twitter users have made clear their stance on tactical voting:
❗Young people of #EsherandWalton ❗
Fancy causing one of the biggest electoral shocks of the century?
GREAT NEWS! Delta poll currently have Raab at a 5% majority but say that A 10% INCREASE IN UNDER 40s turn out could change this.
let’s make the ‘Raab moment’ happen. ? pic.twitter.com/SNbnUn0Ibw
— Alice ? (@_Alielizabeth) December 8, 2019
An Instagram account called @tacticalvote has been regularly posting reasons to vote this way, with snapshots of information that demonstrate its position on preventing a Conservative government:
Even the Liberal Democrats have been onboard with tactical voting. In the Esher/Walton constituency, adverts and leaflets have been released specifically stating that a vote for Lib Dem will unseat Conservative MP Dominic Raab.
The current polls still present a Conservative lead, but the idea that attempting to stop a particular party from coming into power is more important than voting in favour of one begs the question; will this election be a prevention of a government or a selection of another?
Words, Images & Audio by Amy Heather