Gen Z, it's time to engage with the new government

The conversation enabled the young people to share their experiences and the various obstacles they have overcome. The prime minister recognised the importance of listening to the voices of those with lived experience and that young people are the experts on what it is like to navigate their teenage years and early adulthood in 2024.

The event’s purpose was to discuss youth opportunity and the far-reaching consequences of youth violence. Sir Keir said: 

“We need to listen and that is why the most important voices around this table are the young people who have told their experience.” He went on to say, ​“we need to listen, take it in and reflect on that.” 

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The prime minister, at this same event, expressed the right for young people to ​‘push back’ on the government and to keep them accountable about the pledges that are intended to improve their lives. While it may not be relevant for everyone to get involved in this policy area, it shows the government’s attitude to young people and their voices. This is therefore an encouraging opportunity for young people to engage and share their opinions on the issues they are facing and feel passionate about. 

In their manifesto, Labour have pledged to help 18 – 21-year-olds find work or apprenticeships and have committed to improving access to universities. These are a couple of examples of the government’s initial plans to change the opportunities granted to young people across the UK. At the recent Labour Party conference in September, Starmer recognised the wide-ranging skills young people can offer and said: 

“There are millions of young people, ambitious and highly talented, who are desperate to work and contribute to their community.” 

This acknowledgment suggests that this generation will not be overlooked by the new Labour government and therefore leaves considerable opportunity for young people to engage in the proposed measures they may bring in that have direct impact on teenagers and young adults. If you too are Gen Z, I challenge you to keep the government accountable and to try and ensure that they commit to the promises of helping young people into employment and jobs that both inspire them and bring security. 

Perhaps you are in your early twenties and wouldn’t describe yourself as ​‘political’ and previous engagement has started and ended at the ballot box, or maybe you care deeply about certain issues but don’t know how to talk about them. Whether you are a member of a political party or avoid political conversation at all costs, your voice matters and is important. Politics is not simply a group of well-dressed adults arguing in the House of Commons but about people and the struggles individuals from all kinds of backgrounds face throughout the UK and across the world. 

I encourage you to hold firm to your evangelical views while engaging with and caring about the issues that matter most to you. A quick glance at the news is a frequent reminder of the brokenness within Britain and the world as a whole and the Bible teaches us to care about these things. Whether it is in relation to poverty, immigration, education or something else, your views are valuable and matter. 

Galations 5:14 commands us, “‘for the entire law is fulfilled in this one commandment: love your neighbour as yourself.” One way that Christians can do this is by speaking up for those that cannot and on social issues, regardless of whether you as an individual are impacted by them. 

It can be easy to feel intimidated by those who are older, more vocal, and appear to know more (I have found this in the past), however, your contributions have great value and your experiences are worth sharing. 

• Pray! For wisdom for our leaders, for them to put the most vulnerable in society first and for beneficial policy changes.

• Get involved in a campaign that you care about. This could look like sharing information on your social media or signing a petition. 

• Get in touch with your local MP. Write to them about the issues you are passionate about and encourage them in their role.

• Sign up to our monthly mailing Everything Advocacy. This will keep you updated on all that is happening in government across the four nations and alert you to government consultations that you could respond to.

• Encourage your church to talk about politics and what is going on in the nation. Why don’t you ask your church leader to invite your local MP to come to church!