According to polling data from YouGov, 75% of 18- to 24-year-olds voted to remain in the European Union. On Friday, the UK voted to leave, with 52% of the overall vote.
How does it feel to be one of that 75%?
When we tweeted a callout asking young readers for their responses, rather than the 20 or so we expected, we received more than 200 emails in half an hour. While a handful said they were pleased with the outcome, reading through them a picture develops of a generation angry about the direction the UK has taken.
This reaction was not limited to young people of voting age – we received responses from 16- and 17-year-olds who did not have the chance to have their say in this momentous decision.
Here’s a selection of their responses:
I couldn’t vote in what is probably the most important political decision the British people have made
I am 17 years old, I am a student and currently study politics. Last night a decision was made which will have a direct impact on my future. The decision to leave the EU was made without my voice being heard. I couldn’t vote in what is probably the most important political decision the British people have made, an irreversible decision. I have followed these campaigns, I am capable of making an informed and rational choice – the fact that I wasn’t able to, that many other informed and passionate 16/17-year-olds were not able to, seems to me incredibly undemocratic.
My future is completely changed; I will not have the benefits my parents and their generation have had, such as freedom of movement between all EU countries. Mostly I am outraged that this decision, which reflects on the British people, has been made without my consent. The future already looks less bright for us and it is a future I did not have a say in shaping.
Erin Minogue, 17
Today I am proud to be exceptionally indecent
Waking up this morning, it is heartbreaking to see my news feed is full of thoroughly dejected people. Most of these are young, intelligent and passionate, individuals who were determined to support integration, tolerance and compassion. Yet, our futures have been governed by the votes of narrow-minded older generations who now will sit back and see our bright futures dimmed. I am embarrassed and disappointed that our country has been manipulated by the xenophobic, racist and above all incorrect facts that have been spread. Nigel Farage stated that leaving the EU is a victory for the ordinary, decent people – today I am proud to be exceptionally indecent.
Lucinda Jones, 20, West Sussex
I’ve always felt unwanted, uncomfortable, underrepresented. This result confirms my fears
My first response was panic. I’m a recent graduate, already facing financial instability, uncertainty in the job market, trying to work out my future. A leave result means more anxiety for me, more instability to navigate and try to understand.
I’m also a woman of colour. From a young age, I’ve been aware of racist and nationalist attitudes in Britain, spread around the country outside of my home and haven of London. I’ve spent years watching people argue to dismantle the systems that allowed my mother and closest friends into the country to work, to lead better, productive lives. I’ve seen people screaming that my immigrant family (biological and chosen) are worthless, that they contribute nothing. And I’ve always felt unwanted, uncomfortable, underrepresented.
This result confirms my fears. That my families aren’t seen as people, as human. They’re numbers, they’re a swarm, a threat. They’re not welcome here, and as a product of immigration, neither am I. With this result, England clings on to its colonial history, and I’m ashamed.
Zainabb Hull, 23, London
I cannot envision how Brexit is going to bring working-class unity
Living in Northern Ireland, I am concerned the effects a leave vote has on political stability here with votes having been cast upon traditional party lines – green and orange politics prevailing. The DUP supported Brexit while Sinn Féin were for remain. The latter have already called for a poll on Northern Ireland’s status within the UK, which will only serve to further complicate relations between Unionists and Nationalists. Nevertheless, what happens with the north/south border is a valid concern as bureaucratic measures will affect free movement and trade. We in Northern Ireland are, under the Good Friday Agreement, entitled to Irish citizenship and by extension, EU citizenship, but whether this claim to citizenship will now be dependent upon acquisition of an Irish passport is yet to be seen.
My main concern is what impact the leave verdict has upon jobs with so much employment, especially in the charity sector, dependent upon EU funding. Leave creates job uncertainty and is a huge snub to the immigrants living, studying, and working here. I cannot envision how Brexit is going to bring working-class unity. Instead, I imagine that it will result in reactionary policies that are only going to bring more social segregation and economic deprivation.
Eileen, 24, Belfast
I feel I’ve been let down by an older generation
I’m 17 but turn 18 in four days. This morning I’ve woken up to feel completely betrayed by my own country.
One thing that upsets me most is that this decision has been made by people who will not have to live with the consequences for as long as us. Young people voted to remain and older people voted to leave. I feel that I have been let down by an older generation who won’t be affected by the volatility of this decisions.
Abi Kirkby, 17
I want to make sure that my first vote, my first taste of democracy, leads to something positive
Yesterday was my first vote: I voted to remain in the EU. I felt strongly that the EU was something which we needed to be. For me it wasn’t about politics. It was not about whether we’re Labour or Conservative, or right or left, it was about what we stand for. As a nation, could we really stand for abandoning an organisation which, although admittedly flawed, brings together so many nations in a common purpose? I hoped not. For me a vote for Europe was a vote for humanity and a vote for possibility and therefore this morning my first reaction was one of devastation.
After far too many tears and a lot of anger directed towards the older generations and the politicians who failed to make this referendum moral and true, I want to make sure that my first vote, my first taste of democracy, leads to something positive. My first vote is going to lead to even stronger political engagement. It’s so important that despite this result we pull together to show the world that we are not hostile or prejudiced towards them.
We have to be open to the future, and work to create a positive future. We are the future and although today our country has chosen to disregard our opinions, from now on we have to work even harder to make our voices heard. Today is the start of a new future, of a different future. Let’s not decide that everything is doomed. Instead, let’s work for a positive and accepting future of possibility, rather than the hostility that has been shown today.
I know that the result of this referendum could have a huge impact on my future. I’m hoping to study German at university, but I also recognise that we can’t be too negative about today. Nothing can come from deciding that everything is damned, we’ve got to rise from the ashes and show the world our capability for love and good.
Laura Peacock, 18, South Wales
I’m disgusted and terrified
I’m disgusted. Utterly and completely disgusted with my country and what they have done to my future. I’m 16 years old and therefore didn’t vote on this matter, which incidentally I’m also absolutely furious about. The fact that people who are going to be gone in the next 10 years were allowed to vote on something that my peers and I have to live with for the rest of our lives is completely and utterly unacceptable.
I’m disgusted with the way the campaigns have been carried out and the fear-mongering that has taken place. I’m disgusted that this country are so fearful of immigration and the outside world they would cut themselves off entirely from any connections we may previously have had.
But most of all, I’m scared. I’m terrified. I’m terrified for my future, and what that may bring. I’m terrified that we live in a country of racists and bigots and that young people will have to live with their mistakes. I’m terrified that we are governed by a group of disgusting, rightwing, racist trolls who couldn’t care less about what young people have to say. I’m terrified that this is the country I live in, and this is the choice that they have made.
Madeline Gomes, 16,
I feel scared for the future of the economy and the future of our country
I can’t yet vote, and am completely furious with the result. Sixty-four per cent of my town’s votes were counted for leave, and I don’t think I have ever been so disappointed. Almost everything that made Britain great came from being a part of the structure of the EU, and I feel as if casual racism and colloquial xenophobic reactions to immigrants have blinded so many people to the extent in which they would rather rid immigrants than anything else …there were so many benefits of being in the EU that people took for granted, and by the time they notice it’ll already be too late. I feel scared for the future of the economy and the future of our country too. I am not feeling proud to be British, and I think that the majority of my demographic feel similarly.
Jack Webb, 17, Corby
I can’t imagine staying here where my work is not valued
Today I’m disappointed and sad. I’m scared for my generation’s future and generations to come.
Scientists receive so little funding from the UK we are very dependent on EU sources and collaboration. I won’t be surprised if over the coming years the UK’s output of original research falls because people, both European and British, choose to move and work elsewhere. I will likely be one of these people when I finish my PhD, I can’t imagine staying here where my work is not valued and every day is a fight to stay funded.
I’m also sad that people have managed to be persuaded by the at times less than savoury leave campaign. ‘X’ amount of money won’t be diverted back in to the NHS. We’ve seen enough money-based promises that the government fails to go through with to know that. It is going to be very costly to maintain a decent position within finance and trade with the rest of the world. Also, immigrants are just as responsible for this country’s successe. They have given so much and continue to do so. Mainly, as citizens of the world, how can we turn away from people who are just looking for a better life and block ourselves off from the outside world?
Kirsten Dutton, 25, Newcastle
I have lived in this country all my life and for the first time feel very ashamed to be British
I am a 24-year-old British-Asian woman from London. I voted remain. I am so deeply saddened by the results I watched come in through the night. It seems I’ve been experiencing the run-up to the election in some sort of bubble on my Facebook page, where it is filled by the people who have similar political leanings. This is what makes it even more shocking.
In the past three weeks I have experienced harassment (physical and verbal) on public transport. Two out of the three have included racial slurs. It is hard to disassociate that from the rhetoric of the leave campaign, which seems to have given a voice to “moderate” racists and xenophobes. It can’t be a coincidence that several of my friends have experienced a similar thing.
I have lived in this country all my life and for the first time feel very ashamed to be British. I am angry that the older generation have selfishly voted for a future that I will have to live with. Young people did not vote for this. I am angry that I have to wake up to Nigel Farage’s smug face claiming that the NHS figures that have been touted were a lie. I am angry that my European friends, as well as my non-white British friends and family members have woken up to a less safe, more divided country.
Alexandra D’sa, 24, London
My future, and my friends’ futures, have been taken away from us
Today, I am disgusted to be British ... I resent what I thought was a minority in this country, ignorant people, but it seems fear tactics from the likes of Farage and Johnson have convinced people to ruin a future that doesn’t belong to them.
As a teenager living in London, my future, and my friends’ future, has been taken away from us and tossed into disarray by people who are completely alien from the things they are scared of.
Immigration was never the problem, money was never going to go into the NHS, and we’re less “free” than we ever were with the financial and political crash that is happening. And all we can do as the progressive and inclusive youth of Britain is watch our elders destroy what little we had to build on.
Seeing idiots like Farage call for “independence day” as the pound plummets makes me think that we were in a better place before we let bigots decide our future.
I don’t know what to do, I sit here in awe of the place I am no longer proud to live in, surrounded by people I am no longer proud to be associated with. Fear has changed this country forever. I hope whoever voted leave is happy with the turmoil they’ve sent us into.
Matthew Healing, 18, London
Maybe this vote was too big for this country to handle
I feel so let down by the people who could vote and decided to put their own personal hatred before others. Maybe this vote was too big for this country to handle. Throughout this all I supported remain and feel upset and angry over this result. Everyone my age will be left to deal with the consequences of this and I couldn’t even have a say in it.
Evidence is showing the impact already over this, with the fall in the pound and I fear the worst is yet to come. I fail to understand why people aged 60 and above feel aggrieved by the apparent threats immigrants cause like lack of jobs and homes when they are already living comfortably with their pensions and houses when it’s young people who would be impacted by this, although I don’t personally feel like we are, yet people my age have no say.
Heather Dowding, 17, Woking
I plan to claim German nationality
I’m a 20-year-old student in Scotland. Although originally from London I’ve lived most of my life in France, where my parents moved when I was young. I consider myself European rather than British or English or Scottish.
I strongly supported the Better Together side in the Scottish independence referendum, but today I would rather live in an independent, but European Scotland, than a UK broken off from Europe.
In the immediate few weeks, I intend to make good on my pledge to myself to claim German nationality to retain European citizenship, as I am eligible for it as a descendant of refugees of Nazism to Britain. I’m shocked that my grandparents, refugees themselves, voted leave to curb immigration.
Ben Bernheim, 20, Scotland
My future was left in the hands of people I’ve never met
I have never felt less British. For those who voted out due to immigration, maybe they forgot who treats them when they are ill, or teaches their children, or keeps their area clean, they are ignorant to how much many immigrants contribute to our society.
I am incredibly scared about the prospect of my future. Who knows if my parents will be able to afford for me to go to university? The imminent fall of the pound suggests further economic downfall, my future was left in the hands of people who I’ve never met, whilst the 16- and 17-year-olds of the country, on the edge of our future, were not allowed to vote and now have been left isolated on our tiny island.
Just like all my friends now, I am close to tears, the prospect of such a severe unknown is so unnerving and I feel like we’ve already begun to fall apart.
I think we’re all acutely aware that had 16-year-olds been allowed to vote, it would have been a different outcome. Please pray for our futures.
Annie, 16
And two young people who voted to leave:
We have to stand up, shout and protest for a general election
I’m a 23-year-old nursing student. We have a chance to take this country in a progressive direction. Leaving the EU does not mean we have to become a rightwing reactionary country. British values are what the people want them to be. I think that all Brits will unite against the racist rhetoric that has dominated this referendum. I think they will deny Boris, Farage or even Osborne the chance to become prime minister as they know they can’t be trusted to lead a post-Brexit Britain. We have to stand up, shout and protest for a general election. If this is a new era for Britain, the British public should have the chance to decide what direction we take.
Anthony Johnson, 23, London
I understand that our country will experience a tough period
I decided to vote leave at the last minute, I had been vote remain for the entire campaign but I couldn’t stand the idea of waking up tomorrow with nothing being done about the EU’s lack of democracy and lack of accountability. I am very restrained and humble right now and I understand that our country will experience a tough period but I’m hopeful for the future and my prospects as a young person.
Craig Dillon, 22, London