The Influence of Brexit on British Youth Political Attitudes

The Conservative Party dominated British politics between 2010 and 2024. In that time, they contributed to numerous changes in the UK, both positive and negative. However, none was more notable or overshadowing than the UK’s 2016 Referendum. An event that led the UK to vote in favour of activating Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (2012), withdrawing from the EU, and ultimately triggering the phenomenon now globally known as Brexit. The consequences of Brexit significantly altered the European Union's situation and functioning, changing its dynamics and challenging its unity and cohesion. However, it was the UK that bore the brunt of the consequences. Several generations of UK citizens were raised with EU membership as a given, and the benefits that came with it were often taken for granted. This led to indifference or even judgment towards the EU among many of the UK’s population. Moreover, Brexit disrupted existing ties between the EU and UK, creating new obstacles in commerce, security, foreign policy, and even diplomacy; forty years of cooperation, gone in one Referendum. This dissertation aims to show how this crucial and unique political event affected the livelihoods, voting habits, and choices of young British adults. The focus on young adults was chosen because they experienced life both during and after the country’s official withdrawal from the EU, and it is they who will continue to live with the consequences of Brexit. Using 14 semi-structured interviews, the dissertation gathers in-depth perspectives from young adults who have experienced life both during the UK’s EU membership and after its official withdrawal. This research sheds light on how Brexit has shaped the political identities and participation of young people, offering novel insights into the evolving democratic landscape among British youth and the broader social implications of this significant political event.