Niko Omilana’s Prime Example of Youth Voice in UK Politics

 by Amelia R

In an attempt to sway undecided voters, Sir Keir's Labour Party and Rishi Sunak's Conservatives have spent the final few days of the political process reaffirming their primary contentions in light of Sunak's call for a general election in the United Kingdom. Amid the chaos of hurled milkshakes, pledges of National Service, and aggressive campaigns, the youth, nonetheless, are the most disengaged demographic in UK politics, with their voter turnout being significantly lower than that of any other age group. In the general election of 2019, 47% of 18–25 year-olds voted in contrast to 74% of those aged 65 and above.

Despite Britain's distinctively poor turnout for young people compared to Sweden, for instance, and it's explicit indicator for bad democratic health, it is not entirely unexpected that young people in Britain have grown frustrated with politics - despite recent attempts on TikTok from both the Conservative and Labour parties to entice young voters. The young, however, are jointly met with hundreds of millions of pounds in student debt, a housing crisis, a mental health crisis, and a climate emergency as a result of years of unfair policies that have divided generations. These issues are all ignored by policymakers in favour of appeasing the grey vote by preserving the triple lock on the state pension and a disproportionate tax structure.

It is important to remember that youth in Britain are not uncaring in politics. Social media campaigns, social media activism, and student protests all demonstrate the youth's desire to actively participate in determining the direction of the nation. It is more of a disenchantment with political institutions than it is with politics per se. The younger generation feels that the British political elite does not care about them, and sadly, they are frequently shown to be correct. The clear embodiment of the youths' frustration and a symbol for young people participating in politics is Niko Omilana's effective role in running for mayor of London in 2021.

With the UK and its lengthy history of electoral candidates who have little likelihood of winning—from Lord Sutch to Bill Boakes to the recently resurrected Lord Buckethead—running knowing they will lose. Omilana had enjoyed his fifteen minutes of fame by standing beside a prominent party candidate as the results were read out on television but ultimately was motivated by the democratic process's quick route to media success in a society where attention is the currency. Now Omilana's running video has received over 16 million views—many times greater in viewers than the top BBC news bulletins. While campaigns to freeze the Thames, construct a second London Eye, and advise Prime Minister Boris Johnson to "shush" were undoubtedly unserious, Omilana and his votes proved that young people exist, are attentive, and don't feel that they are represented in politics among the politicians on hand. With nearly fifty thousand voters casting ballots for Omilana, he created the kind of unity and support among young people in politics that the two major parties in the current election still strive for through their inane and ineffective TikTok campaigns.

Upon concluding his prank, Omilana admitted himself that the acceptable face of politics has changed, recognising young people that fight for young people, in order to eradicate the lack of representation that causes such low turnout and participation. His campaign website now dedicates itself to "other young people who are already changing the future whether they enter politics or not - the leaders of tomorrow whose voices deserve to be heard on every platform", referring to individuals such as Amika George and her organisation Free Periods, which organised a 2,000-person protest outside Theresa May's house, demanding an end to poverty