Meet The Young People Backing Jeremy Corbyn

Meet The Young People Backing Jeremy Corbyn

Jeremy Corbyn is the new Labour leader - and he won the job by a landslide.

The 66-year-old, who was once a rank outsider, has been open about his belief young people need to be heard as they have been "written off" by political parties. Corbyn, naturally, has not been without his critics - with many saying he is not a figure fit for Prime Minister, and with Labour MPs resigning left, right and centre following his victory.

But what do young people - who, along with trade unions, have been highlighted as Corbyn's key supporters, think? HuffPost UK spoke to four of his supporters who firmly believe in their party's new leader.

"He's different - and it's refreshing."

Danny Angove is a 19-year-old English student at Royal Holloway University, London

"I thought the time was right for a change," Angove tells HuffPost UK. "I believed – and continue to believe – that Corbyn’s leadership can steer the Labour party back into being a genuine alternative to the Conservatives, as opposed to the watered-down centrist ‘alternative’ option that some believe it has become in recent years.

"Corbyn’s vision is clear, and his deliberate lack of political rhetoric ensures that he’s not only an alternative in terms of policies, but also in terms of how we expect politicians to act, speak and behave.

"He’s repeatedly talked of the lack of youth engagement in modern politics, and he seems genuinely committed to both engaging young people in politics and to creating policies that appeal to us. It’s rare to see a politician in a position of power make such an effort with young people.

"The emergence of Jeremy Corbyn has brought politics to the attention of those who don’t choose to actively follow it. It’s got people talking about it, and I think that’s a great thing."

"British politics needs to be revitalised. Corbyn is someone who can do this."

Lauren Davies is a 19-year-old studying International History and Politics at Leeds University

"Aside from the fact that his political leanings are similar to mine, I felt that, out of the four candidates, Corbyn came across as the most genuine, which I think is something that is missing from mainstream politics," Davies says. "His lack of frontbench experience will undoubtedly be worrying for some, but I think what he lacks in experience, he makes up for with his honest, straight talking personality.

"The culture of lying and avoiding the question in the political sphere is frustrating, and only adds to people’s already negative perceptions of politicians. The election campaign has shown that Jeremy Corbyn has been underestimated by many.

"Although not strictly related to young people, his message of anti-austerity is something which I think will resonate with many. The cuts brought in under the new Conservative government are going to directly impinge upon under 25’s, and so I think that Corbyn’s strong opposition to this will win him votes in this age bracket.

"Corbyn’s politics is what attracts young people towards him. He’s been extremely willing to discuss ideas with all areas of the party, and I’m sure that he’ll continue to do so during his time as Labour leader.

"Claims that he’s unelectable have undoubtedly been shattered. Without a doubt, Corbyn's leadership race has opened up politics and made it exciting.

"Mainstream British politics is understandably boring for many; the stereotype that politicians are liars and only working for themselves is unfortunately true in some cases. The election of Jeremy Corbyn will hopefully see many previously apathetic and uninterested people becoming involved in politics."

"Corbyn absolutely can be elected PM in 2020."

Matt Broomfield is a 21-year-old living in Shrewsbury in the West Midlands

"As it did for many other young people, this Saturday marked the first British election in my political life whose outcome made me feel something other than terror for minorities and the working class in the UK," Broomfield says. "Of course, I wouldn’t mistake my Facebook timeline for a national consensus amongst people of my age, but to describe Corbyn as a throw-back is absurd.

"He is the only leader of a major party in my lifetime to set out policies (on the dismantling of big business and on quantitative easing in order to invest in the people of Britain) which begin to approach my own understanding of the major redistribution of wealth that is needed in this country.

"Corbyn brings a sincere, economically solid commitment to the improvement of life for ordinary British people. Unlike the other candidates, he does not cling to outmoded, neoliberal notions of ‘progressive’ politics which in fact constitute a watered-down version of Conservative austerity measures.

"I know countless young people who are deeply invested in politics and in social justice, but who are left alienated by any mainstream political candidate other than Corbyn. Of course, he has specific policies which appeal to young people, such as scrapping the tuition fees which have kept brilliant working-class minds out of university, establishing a National Education System to reduce the gross inequality which plagues our education system and regulating the criminal housing market both in London and across Britain.

"However, the excitement in my generation surrounding Corbyn does not stem from these policies in particular, but from an understanding of what his election would mean for Britain as a whole. Young people are less solipsistic than they are often given credit for, and we know what the Tory government has done to poor people of all ages, and what their callous, hawkish foreign policy has meant for people across the world."

"He's a rare breed of politician who genuinely cares and stands by his priniciples."

Jess Readett is an 18-year-old from Manchester

"I supported Corbyn because I felt like he was the only candidate who acknowledged and represented my views on the left," says Readett. "He has tirelessly campaigned for social justice and actively gets involved which is something I really appreciate as opposed to someone who sits behind a desk preaching.

"Corbyn brings passion back in to politics and reminds me that some politicians aren't in it for their careers. He basically restores my faith as someone who had perhaps given up on political parties, but not on politics.

"His recent creation of the post of minister for mental health definitely has specific appeal for young people. With all types of mental illness rising particularly amongst my age group and 1 in 10 suicides belonging to 15-24 year olds I feel like mental health is an issue that many politicians have put on the back burner and consequently neglected one of the main problems concerning young people.

"I think Corbyn understands that young people aren't disengaged with politics but rather the current system and current political parties, which definitely resonates better as the MPs who write young people off as a group who simply do not care.

"Those who say he cannot be prime minister are cynics.

"Maybe he is ahead of his time and maybe the UK hasn't been destroyed enough by the Tories to warrant us finally wanting to give someone who genuinely believes in equality and helping the vulnerable a go.

"But I would rather the Labour party lose with a leader we can be proud of than one who is trying to lead our party further and further right to a ground we should never wish to stand on."

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