A Jack Petchey Foundation survey found 59% of young people want a second referendum on whether to leave the EU. 6,011 young people got a chance to have their say on what the country should do given the Brexit impasse.  The online survey carried out in October 2019 revealed 80% of young people thought politicians have not listened to their views on Brexit.

Asked what the UK should do 59% of respondents wanted another referendum and 25% only wanted to leave if we have a deal. At the same time 13% would prefer a Brexit deal but if this is not possible would like to leave the EU anyway and only 4% wanted a no-deal Brexit.

When asked how they voted in the 2016 referendum or how they would have if they were too young at the time, 71% said remain whilst 12% wanted to leave. 17% would not have voted. At the same time if a referendum was held tomorrow a higher 79% would vote to remain and 14% would vote to leave.

Only 5% of young people thought that politicians have listened to their views on Brexit. Perhaps of greater concern is that events relating to Brexit had led 72% of young people to trust politicians less. More positively 46% of young people said events relating to Brexit had made them more likely to vote.

Questioned about who they would vote for in a General Election 34% of young people said Labour, 19% Liberal Democrats and 13% Conservative. Only 4% would vote for UKIP or the Brexit party whilst 9% would vote for the Green Party.

Trudy Kilcullen, CEO of the Jack Petchey Foundation said “During all the debates about Brexit we’ve heard little about what young people think, yet they will be most affected and that is why we thought it was important to ask them. Over 90% of respondents in our survey were under 18 and I’m sure politicians will be concerned that so many young people feel they have not been listened to.

What is encouraging is that nearly half said it made them more likely to vote in the future. As a society we need to come together with young people and make sure we listen to their opinions to rebuild trust. They have clear views and can contribute to the debate. The Jack Petchey Foundation exists to motivate and inspire young people and we want to see politicians from all sides of the debate show young people they can be part of the conversation shaping the future of our country.”

Jess T, aged 19, said “I really enjoyed doing the survey, because I was able to give my opinion – especially because I wasn’t able to vote when there was a referendum on Brexit. I do believe young people’s voices weren’t heard and it could potentially have made a difference.” She went on to say “The elderly had more say on Brexit then anyone else. I think we should have stayed especially as it has taken three years for us to leave and I don’t think we are any clearer to knowing the true consequences of Brexit.”

Jessica S, aged 18, said “Doing the survey was a really exciting thing. It made me feel as though I was included in the Brexit debate and that my opinion counted for something. The frustration I have with Brexit at the moment isn’t necessarily the situation, as I can see that any option is problematic. But the fact that I don’t feel as though our generation is being included. I feel as though no politician is really speaking to people my age.

I hope that this survey will show that people my age are more than just social media and that our political views aren’t just taken from our parents. Of course I don’t expect to have a say in what goes on within Parliament as I respect that I still have to grow up and finish my education; I just want to feel like I matter.”

Read the survey results here

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watch the video below!

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