What UK Youth Think About Europe - When They Were Never Asked
- Talk2EU
- Aug 1
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 7
The Post-Brexit Gen Z, Changing Politics, and the Future of UK–EU Relations
By Talk2EU Contributors - July 2025
When the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016, there were almost 2 million young people, young people who had no say in the vote. It’s been almost a decade, and the youngest voters, those aged 18 to 25, are going to be reshaping Britain’s political landscape, bringing with them new ideas about Europe, identity, and the UK’s relationship with the EU and the rest of the world.
UK youth today want mobility, opportunity, and a voice in the UK's future with Europe.
This blog post explores how the opinions of our youth, their views toward Europe, have changed, and what they want now. Also, how demographics are shifting political pressure, and what the next generation might mean for future UK–EU relations.
So, let’s get started…
1. Young People Strongly Support Rejoining the EU
Polling almost always shows that the UK’s youngest voters, those aged 18–25, are overwhelmingly pro-European.
• A Savanta / ITV Peston poll (Nov 2023) found that 66% of 18–25-year-olds would vote to rejoin the EU, with only 15% backing staying out.
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• A Techne UK / Independent poll (Feb 2024) recorded 84% of young adults supporting EU membership if a new referendum were held.
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• The UK segment of a YouGov multi-country poll (June 2025) showed 73% of UK youth (16–26) want the UK to rejoin the EU.
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2. The Voter Landscape Is Changing Fast
Youth opinion isn’t just a side note in UK politics anymore. It’s becoming more of a focus.
• More than 2 million new voters have joined the UK electorate since 2016; many of whom lean pro-European and were not eligible to vote in the 2016 referendum.
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• According to the ONS, Leave support was strongest among older age groups. In 2016, Leave voters were most concentrated in the 65+ age range.
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• Youth turnout is improving. In 2019, turnout for 18–24s increased to 47%, up from 41% in 2017 — and is expected to rise again by the next election.
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2.1. Student Voter Power
Students, in particular, are becoming decisive in elections.
• A HEPI poll (May 2023) found that 85% of full-time undergraduates plan to vote at the next general election, and a remarkable 89% are already registered.
• Nearly half support Labour (46%), while only 7% back the Conservatives and 11%support the Green Party.
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This matters, because when students return home from university to vote, they could shift outcomes in dozens of marginal seats, especially university towns with a high concentration of youth voters.
3. Brexit Lost Opportunities: What Do Young People Say?
For many, the emotional impact of Brexit is personal, especially around travel, study, and identity.
• Erasmus+ access was lost for UK students post-Brexit. The Turing Scheme, launched in 2021, replaced it but lacks reciprocal EU access.
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• UK students made over 15,000 Erasmus+ exchanges per year pre-Brexit. In contrast, Turing’s 2021/22 report recorded fewer outbound placements and lower funding per student.
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And now, new barriers like the Entry/Exit System (EES), coming into force for British travellers to the EU, mean longer border delays, biometric checks, and extra paperwork. That’s another reminder to many young Brits that something they didn’t vote for still affects their everyday lives.
“They voted for something, when I was a minor, with no voice in politics. They voted to take away my rights, as a European citizen.”
— iamthequeenofducks, TikTok
4. Youth Mobility: The Policy That Could Rebuild Trust
Polls show strong support for restoring mutual travel and work rights between young Brits and Europeans.
• A Best for Britain poll (2025) found that 66% of the UK public supported a two-year Youth Mobility Scheme for 18–30s, with even stronger support among the under-30s.
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• Support was highest in university towns and cities, where international outlook and mobility are more central to daily life.
5. Will Youth Define the UK’s European Future?
Despite their enthusiasm for rejoining the EU, young people aren’t obsessed with Brexit. There are many other urgent issues dominating their priorities:
• Cost of living
• Climate change
• International conflicts
• Housing
• Mental health
• Jobs and work rights
Still, to many, Europe is part of the solution, not just part of the past.
As the electoral balance inevitably shifts, youth views will carry more weight:
• By 2029, voters under 40 will make up over half the UK electorate.
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That means EU-related policies, including rejoining Erasmus, visa-free youth travel, and alignment on education and climate, has to be part of the conversation
6. Conclusion: Generation EU?
Whether the UK rejoins the EU or not, it’s clear that the next generation sees Europe not as a threat to sovereignty, but as a partner in collaboration, trade, opportunity, and security.
18–24-year-olds weren’t given a vote in 2016, but they’ll have one in 2029, when their influence will be even greater in politics.
The EU will be an important topic. As will party politics, domestic change, and the UK’s global standing.
Get Involved
Are you aged 18-25 and have something to say about Europe, Brexit, or your future in a changing UK?
Share your story or comment below. If you are interested in getting involved in the conversation, you could get in touch with youth groups like:
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