No Sacred Cows Stop pretending you're talking to young people
Dec 5, 2025
Shweib Gamote is a researcher and writer who co-authored the Demos report 'Inside the mind of a 16 year old', where he explored the political views of young people. He reveals that today's youth are far from apathetic; they crave authentic political engagement and have strong opinions on issues like jobs, safety, and housing. Shweib emphasizes the need for politicians to communicate on platforms where young people are active, like TikTok, and to address the real concerns shaping their skepticism, such as Brexit and media consumption.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Teens Want Democracy, Not Performative Politics
- Young people largely believe in democracy but reject a political system that feels inauthentic and irrelevant to them.
- They are politically alert and emotionally committed despite being dismissed as apathetic.
700 Conversations In Schools
- Shweib and Peter spoke to 700 sixteen-to-eighteen-year-olds across UK classrooms, corridors and sports halls.
- They repeatedly heard young people say politicians don't speak their language or show up where they are.
A Generation Shaped By Recent Turmoil
- Many born after 2010 only remember political chaos (Brexit, Johnson), which shapes distrust in institutions.
- Their political memory skips earlier 'sensible' politics, altering expectations of leaders.