GenY - we have written about the potential impact of this generation on the 'state of work', ways and means of attracting GenY to your company, how do you handle the different generations with the workplace and whether there is even one GenY profile. What would have more impact on the state of work than the leadership of the UK over the next 5 years? Isn't this where GenY may make the most impact?

Christoper Lomas of Naked Generations shared with us their blog and slides about the potential impact of GenY on the UK election.

The State of UK PolitYcs

Debates, Bigot-gate, Clegg-mania, and ‘last week I met…’ are some of the exciting, embarrassing and hilarious anecdotes of the 2010 general election, which has taken the UK by storm. Not since the 1997 election has the public been so engaged in British politics, so anxious to find out who will be the next leader of our country.

In particular, this is the first election in which Generation Y has taken a real interest. In 2001, the first election in which many Gen Ys could vote, 46% took to the polls. But in 2005, this dropped to 37%. Youth voter apathy was at its highest for decades.

The 2010 election is different. Two key factors that have engaged this generation are the leaders’ debates and social media. The debates have helped people connect with the leaders and get a feel for what they would be like as PM. The popularity of the debates was reflected on Twitter, as over 154,000 tweets were dedicated to the subject. And on Facebook, tens of thousands of users became fans of the leaders, most notably Nick Clegg and David Cameron.

The Electoral Commission reported there has been a surge in registrations by young people, with 40% of visitors to the website falling into the 18-24 age-bracket. Generation Y, it seems, is looking to make a stand.

But will UK Gen Y swing the vote, as their peers did in the US? I guess we’ll find out on Friday...

Last update : 10-05-2010 10:31

Keywords : GenY, The State of UK PolitYcs, Naked Generation, Christopher Lomas

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