Young voters are shifting their help from Labour to Green as election looms

As the election draws near, Labour is poised for a landslide victory, with polls indicating a substantial lead for Keir Starmer’s party.

However, despite Labour‘s strong standing, smaller parties, like the Green Party, are beginning to attract former Labour supporters. Kai Burges, 24, a barista from North Cheam, is among those who have shifted their allegiances to the Green Party.“I can’t support a party that’s not committed to spending more than the Conservatives,” Kai explained.

“If Labour’s gamble on economic policies doesn’t pay off, it could lead to massive cuts to public services, which I don’t want at all. And Gaza, the environment, and just overall how they have been with Diane Abbott and screwing over the left.”

Kai’s political journey began under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, which drew him to Labour due to its strong support for Palestine. “Labour has moved away and become New Labour again and gone away from Jeremy Corbyn’s era and when I became politically aware, that is what I really liked”, he said.

“Now they are supposedly, in their view, to actually win, by becoming more right wing. But I do wish they would be how they were originally in the 70s.”

The turning point for many like Kai came in October 2023 when Keir Starmer decided not to call for a ceasefire in the renewed Israel-Palestine conflict, which some saw as an anti-Palestinian stance. Yet, in their 2024 manifesto, Labour leader Keir Starmer declared that they would recognise Palestine as a sovereign within a two-state solution, ensuring a safe and secure Israel. For many, the long-awaited pledge to recognise Palestine came too late.

Danni Tesfay, 25, a marketing executive from Coventry, was also a former staunch Labour supporter but has defected to the Green Party, citing disappointment with Labour’s direction. “I always assumed Labour was for the people,” she said. “But I am starting to realise they are slowly morphing into a right-wing party and forgetting about the working class and vulnerable people that need them the most.”

Danni cites issues with Palestine and Diane Abbott as part of her reasons for switching support. “Their handling of the injustices in Palestine and their treatment of Diane Abbott has been appalling. They’re making decisions they wouldn’t have made five years ago.”

Recent YouGov polling shows the Green Party is gaining significant traction among younger voters, ranking second among those under 30, ahead of the Tories and Liberal Democrats.

But many of the Green Party’s new supporters are said to likely come from Labour, angered by Keir Starmer’s stance on the Gaza conflict and the dilution of Labour’s £28 billion annual investment commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions. In May’s local elections, Labour lost seats to the Greens in Bristol, Stroud, Newcastle, South Tyneside, and other areas, reflecting discontent over Labour’s position on issues.

Alina Zakaria, 24, a British-Muslim library assistant from London, said Starmer’s decision was a game-changer for her. “I wouldn’t want someone like Starmer leading the country,” she said.

“Our focus as a country needs to be tackling child poverty, the NHS, and the cost of living crisis. Instead, the focus is on Ukraine and funding Israel, showing skewed priorities. I’d rather support the Green Party, which is committed to environmental care and bolstering the NHS.”

The surge of the Green Party is causing concern among Labour supporters, who fear that more defections could increase the chances of a Conservative victory. But Alina stands firm in her decision. “Voting Green is what’s best for the country. Voting Labour just to keep the Tories would be a disservice”, she said.

“Politicians have exploited the two-party system for too long. It’s time to reclaim our vote and push for a parliament that truly reflects our values. There’s no real difference between the Tories and Labour.”

Kai agreed, adding: “They expect younger voters and left-wing supporters to back them no matter what,” he said. “But if you’ve let us down, you should face the consequences. I don’t want the Tories in, but I also don’t want Labour to think they can get away with anything.”

Despite the challenges posed by the UK’s first-past-the-post electoral system for smaller parties, Danni remains convinced that her vote for the Green Party is not wasted. “Your vote is your chance to select a party that aligns with your beliefs and what is best for the country,” she said.

“There is no such thing as a wasted vote, only a wasted opportunity to vote. It’s dangerous to think we are limited to two choices, which has kept us in a two-party system for so long. But there is an alternative.”

Alina added that Green Party votes should be viewed as a meaningful one. “The younger generation turning to smaller parties signifies a move away from the two-party system. In a democracy, we should vote for the party that represents our causes the most. It wouldn’t be a democracy if we all voted the same way.”