Britains new youth...'Young Fogeys'

[afleitch]

Yes we exist. The 16-25 post Thatcher generation. I am on of them. Here's the lowdown.

1. Labour let us down big-time over tuition fees.

2. Tory isn't a dirty word.

3. We want to keep our money (see 'Busted' for details!)

4. Our parents generation spent and mortgaged it's way into bankruptcy...and forgot to pay for their own retirement.

5. So we are saving for our pensions earlier and putting money in the bank- because we know a whopping Income Tax rise awaits us in 10-20 years time.

6. We remain socially liberal and more so. Why fuss over god and gays anyway?

7. New Opinions: Margaret Thatcher? Ah yes! That woman who took on the unions and built prosperity. Good on her!

8. Down with sex ed! Bloody 60's liberalism....

Well, that's all slightly exaggerated- but it is happening. Don't ask a 30 year old. Go ask a 16 year old on their views. I'm a swing voter, 20 years old and voted Labour in Scotland, gave the Tories my second vote and voted Tory in the European elections. Yes i'm from a staunch Labour background. It is happening more and more. Of course the Tories are still 3rd place in voting preference- but 'conservatism' is growing. What do you think?

[Tory]

I hope you're right. I'm fairly young and I do see changing attitudes. Not neccesarily in regards to social issues, we are still a solidly social liberal country(that's good in my opinion), but in regards to other things. This country is much less socialist than it used to be. It's moving rightward economically, but Britain's new views are not being represented by Labour. Also, Brits are becoming less ashamed about our imperial past, and many are in fact embracing our history. As you said, Thatcher isn't hated among the youth as she is among 30-40 year olds(people that were teens under Thatcher and Major).

Where I live most of the young people don't give a sh-t about politics, but if they do they either go Lib Dem or Tory. Labour isn't a popular option around here.

[ilikeverin]

What do you mean no sex ed?

[cwelsch]

American youth is supposedly following this trend as well, and I've actually noticed the effects.  It's interesting how you can trace English, American, Canadian, and sometimes Australian and New Zealander politics like that.  Like Thatcher, Reagan and Mulroney elected at once, or Blair, Clinton and Chretien serving roughly together, or the parallel rises in the welfare states of each country.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

True of middle class metropolitan/suburban young 'uns. Not true of the rest of us.

[Peter]

I come from a family that was pretty much a result of the Thatcherite "revolution" in Britain. Went from working class background to upper/middle class.

If I had been alive in the early 80s I would now be a SDP member, probably worshipping Dr Owen and generally trying to destroy the Labour party. Whilst, today in 2004, this task is not yet complete, fortunately my kind have overrun the Labour party and installed a New Labour party. Whilst it isn't led by The Right Honourable Dr David Owen from his Plymouth Devenport constituency, I'll still vote for it. Hopefully I will get a chance to vote Blair and get Brown.

1. Whoever is in power needs to finance unis somehow, this isnt it, but its about the best we're gonna get.

2. Tory isn't a dirty word, its positively obscene these days, but then apparently so is Tony.

3. I'm not bothered about my money.

5. Very few ppl are doing that.

6. True.

7. Margaret Thatcher does have that to her credit.

8. They'll abolish sex ed. when Hell freezes over

As further comments:

9. I don't like the current foreign policy. Only a change of PM will change that. Change the bloody PM (and give us Gordon).