Calling fellow 18-year-olds: Here’s how we help give Britain a Final Say on Brexit

The five simple steps to make your voice heard and shape our futures

I believe three things about British politics. One, the public hates Westminster. Two, Brexit will leave my generation with what is arguably the worst inheritance in peacetime history. Three, the political class don’t understand points one or two.

For years, it was assumed that young people would not vote, would not take part in politics, and fundamentally did not care. During this time, we’ve been priced out of housing (particularly in London), had our tuition fees trebled and been given the cold shoulder by MPs.

But now, after all of this, we’re making ourselves heard. We have been shown that it is up to us to get ourselves involved in politics – and we are. It’s not a winner with all though.

The Spectator columnist Brendan O’Neill wrote that the “cult of youth should terrify anyone who believes in democracy” and accused Our Future Our Choice (OFOC), a group of young and old campaigning for a people’s vote, of exhibiting “astonishing arrogance”. After years of moaning about our apathy, some members of the establishment are now worried that we may participate.

So, how can young people like me (I’m 18) put a stop to this botched Brexit? Well, here are five ways to get involved and fight to secure a vote on the shape of your future.

First, write to your MP and demand a Final Say. You can do this now. It’s very easy to email them. The address of every MP can be found here. Or, perhaps it’s better to head along to see them in person at their constituency surgeries which take place each weekend. You can find these details on most MPs’ websites.

Second, lobby parliament and join groups that support a Final Say. You have plenty to choose from. OFOC, FFS, and People’s Vote are just a few. You could be among the hundreds of thousands of young people marching on Westminster to call for a vote on Brexit when the organisations set up events.

Third, canvass! Go out and spend an afternoon on the doorsteps of members of the public. This way, you can reach people in every corner of your community and urge them to back a Final Say. It could be that your neighbours are more likely to listen to a sincere young person than to an untrustworthy political figure, burdened by association with the political establishment.

Fourth, show your support for the Liberal Democrats or the Greens. After all, they are the only parties that have supported a Final Say/People’s Vote as party policy. Perhaps this could push Labour to do the same.

And fifth, perhaps the most important of all. As Armando Iannucci put it:

As per usual, the Death of Stalin director is spot on.

Brexit will hit young people the hardest. It will make us poorer and fuel inequality. It will deny us opportunities and threaten our right to live or work anywhere in Europe. Just look at the statistics. Of the 18 to 25-year-olds who voted in the referendum, 75 per cent voted to remain. We do not want it.

Those who dismiss young protesters like me as “snowflakes” and “privileged Remoaners” are wide of the mark. Whatever happens between now and the official departure date of 29 March, the task is to mobilise our energy and anger to tackle it. We can’t let a handful of politicians take apart our futures.

This is not “astonishing arrogance” but a heartfelt plea to be heard. A Final Say is not just for young people but for everyone who cares about what kind of country we will be in a decade’s time.

Parliament can start laying the groundwork for a new vote – both in domestic legislation and with the EU. This needs to happen fast and there are hurdles along the way. But already it seems like the only way to put an end to this botched Brexit.

This is my generation’s chance to show that politics is changing, whether the gatekeepers like it or not.