Britons are politically more divided by age than at any time over the past four decades, with a surge in support for the opposition Labour Party among younger voters the key factor in a shock election result, pollster Ipsos Mori said on Tuesday. Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May lost her parliamentary majority in the June 8 election after a lacklustre campaign during which her poll lead of 20 points or more evaporated. The Conservatives still won the largest number of House of Commons seats, but are now having to seek a deal with a small Northern Irish party to support their minority government. Ipsos Mori said age was a bigger dividing factor than in any election since it began keeping detailed records in 1979.
It said Labour increased its share of the vote among people aged 18 to 34 by 20 percentage points, while the Conservatives lost support.
May’s party picked up vote share among older voters, achieving a 7-point gain in the 45-54 age group and a 14-point increase in voters aged over 55.
An increase in turnout among younger voters, compared with the previous election in 2015, was also crucial.
Full Article: Talkin’ ’bout my generation: stark age divide in UK election | Reuters.