Rob from Erith wrote:The Tories certainly did their best to ditch the concept of the apprenticeship in the 80s. Presumably because most of the industries where youngsters traditionally took apprenticeships were pretty much shut down.
My own personal opinion is that as a group, the young tend not to vote in the numbers of say pensioners.
So presumably that is why in the past 7 years the Tories have done away with EMA, trebled university tuition fees etc.. ie all policies that have been to the detriment of young ( potential) voters.
If you don't bother voting you suffer the consequences, sadly.
You're absolutely right - the Tories have traditionally appealed to the old because they're the ones who get out and vote; which is why it's even more bizarre that in this election campaign, they turned against them at the last minute with dementia tax, refusal to guarantee the triple lock and the means testing of winter fuel allowance. Arrogance?
Meanwhile, it does appear, at least in my particular echo chamber, that Corbyn has galvanised the young; it would be a really positive outcome if they turn out in bigger numbers - and he makes good on his promise to lower the voting age to 16 - that would force politicians of all stripes to engage with a very different demographic.