New polling indicates that Andy Burnham is the most popular party leader among young people, though more Gen Z voters would choose the Green Party over Labour, reports BritPanorama.
According to Ipsos data shared during a fringe event at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, 39% of young individuals expressed satisfaction with the prime minister, while Green leader Zack Polanski closely follows with 33%.
The poll revealed that 28% of young voters are dissatisfied with Burnham and 36% with Polanski, who is preparing for a parliamentary bid in Holborn and St Pancras next month.
However, Burnham’s government is less favoured, with only 22% approval and a notable 68% expressing dissatisfaction. Despite Burnham’s personal appeal, young voters are inclined to support Polanski’s party over Labour.
If a general election were to occur immediately, 33% of young voters would opt for the Green Party, compared to 28% for Labour. This marks a significant change from the 2024 general election results, in which Labour garnered 41% of the vote and the Green Party received just 19%, according to Ipsos.
Furthermore, Ipsos conducted a survey of Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) British adults from July to August this year, highlighting their concerns as largely reflective of broader public sentiment. Key issues for this demographic include inflation, the cost of living, and housing.
Nearly half of young people—49%—indicated that these economic factors would influence their voting choices, alongside 46% prioritising the NHS and 39% considering housing critical. Conversely, immigration is less of a concern for them, with only 34% viewing it as a top issue compared to 51% of the general population.
The polling also suggests that the Labour Party has experienced a “Burnham bounce,” transforming a 4.5-point deficit before his leadership into a 3.5-point lead within two months after he assumed the premiership. This recovery is largely attributed to former Labour supporters returning to the fold, increasing from 49% to 61% following Burnham’s leadership appointment.
During this period, dissatisfaction with the government decreased from 79% to 70%. Burnham, who recently announced reductions in business rates for pubs, emerged as the politician most Britons would prefer to share a drink with. Notably, 34% expressed a desire to socialise with him, significantly outpacing Nigel Farage at 19%, Kemi Badenoch at 10%, and Polanski at 8%.
These insights underline shifting political dynamics among younger voters, reflecting a nuanced landscape that may influence future electoral outcomes.
