what is there in the election for young voters? national service, reform, covered in the cost of living crisis? what is in it for you? and rishi sunak says he is incredibly angry about the betting scandal. good evening live from the newsnight studio, where our guests, young, old, well, older and somewhere in between, entertain us with interviews and searing, late—night insight. we shouted out for younger voters to get in touch about how they're feeling about the election. 26—year—old harrison from bournemouth came straight back. hello, newsnight, definitely feeling ignored during this campaign. six months ago, i had to quit myjob in watford and move back home to live with my parents in bournemouth with the cost of renting being the leading factor in my decision. i simply couldn't afford to live where i worked. i haven't heard anything from any of the political parties during this campaign that i think will materially improve the lives for young people. we've got a stuffed sofa and a packed programme. welcome to our panelists, author samuel kasumu, former downing street adviser to borisjohnson, and former labourand ed miliband adviser tom hamilton. we're alsojoined by ed campbell of the politics joe website. and polly bayfield is a reporter from bbc newsbeat, who've been touring the country speaking to young voters ahead of the election. nick's here too. first, let's relive the campaign so far from the point of view of the more youthful part of the electorate. why do you hate young people so much? you're making them go into the army. no, you have a choice. we have to stop the landlords ripping off tenants. you will love it. who will pay more? when i talk to young people there's a whole set of issues they raise. national service is a good thing for our country. we can pass legislation to say you can't do it. from knife crime to housing to mental health... rishi sunak: my generation- has been let down by the labour party in this manifesto. # will you still love me when i am no longer young and beautiful?# you say that you are offering change but it's the same old tory policy. - he is a very young 88. a very young 88. that's brilliant. how often are you here? you are not here every day, are you? no, i play on tuesday afternoons, thursday evenings... we'll pick up some of that in a moment. first, keir starmer�*s been courting the youth vote tonight. the labour leader's been at the first of eight taylor swift concerts happening there this summer. he has got a white t—shirt on and he definitely looks like a swifty. totting up the combined ages of the 784 peers in the house of lords takes you to approximately 40,000 years' worth. we are talking about that later. 0ne we are talking about that later. one of our guests tonight is one of the youngest peers in the house of lords. first of all, let's look at what it feels like for young people in this campaign. do they feel listened to? is there anything for them? being young is pretty tough, isn't it? i have always said to my conservative colleagues that demographics is the existential feature of the conservative party will stop young people in particular who feel disaffected, who can't buy a home, who are saddled with student debt in comparison to those who came before them. during this election, i can only speakfor the them. during this election, i can only speak for the conservative party, they are going to need to try to hold onto as many votes as possible and not necessarily reach out for new verse and that will present a future challenge for the party. ii present a future challenge for the -a . y ., present a future challenge for the -a . , ., ., present a future challenge for the party. if you are in a situation where older— party. if you are in a situation where older people _ party. if you are in a situation where older people are - party. if you are in a situation where older people are more| party. if you are in a situation - where older people are more likely to, what you want is to tailor something that will bring younger voters in, and we will talk about later, especially as there is this push to earlier when you are 16. the reali is push to earlier when you are 16. the reality is you — push to earlier when you are 16. tue: reality is you cannot rely push to earlier when you are 16. tue reality is you cannot rely on 75 euros forever for obvious reasons. and so there is a need to have an offering that is broader and unfortunately we have failed to do that. of course, people are not listening to us anyway.- that. of course, people are not listening to us anyway. isn't this a stereotype — listening to us anyway. isn't this a stereotype about _ listening to us anyway. isn't this a stereotype about what _ listening to us anyway. isn't this a stereotype about what young - listening to us anyway. isn't this a i stereotype about what young people are interested in? let's put this in are interested in? let's put this in a box. like right now it is more visceralfor a box. like right now it is more visceral for them, a box. like right now it is more visceralforthem, it a box. like right now it is more visceralfor them, it is a box. like right now it is more visceral for them, it is a a box. like right now it is more visceralfor them, it is a daily thing, how do i actually live? absolutely, i travel around the country — absolutely, i travel around the country and they will all tell you the same thing. i can't afford a house — the same thing. i can't afford a house i— the same thing. i can't afford a house i am _ the same thing. i can't afford a house. lam not the same thing. i can't afford a house. i am not sure howl the same thing. i can't afford a house. i am not sure how i will be able _ house. i am not sure how i will be able to— house. i am not sure how i will be able to afford kids and family. i am reluctant_ able to afford kids and family. i am reluctant to — able to afford kids and family. i am reluctant to describe all young people — reluctant to describe all young people is extremely concerned about environmental issues, obviously people _ environmental issues, obviously people are, but these are not things at the _ people are, but these are not things at the top of every single young person's— at the top of every single young person's mine. i think people like to imagine — person's mine. i think people like to imagine a young person as a young professional— to imagine a young person as a young professional who lives in a flasher commissure. professional who lives in a flasher commissure— professional who lives in a flasher commissure. this is what harrison was saying- _ commissure. this is what harrison was saying- if— commissure. this is what harrison was saying. if people _ commissure. this is what harrison was saying. if people are - commissure. this is what harrison was saying. if people are young, l was saying. if people are young, almost by _ was saying. if people are young, almost by definition _ was saying. if people are young, almost by definition they - was saying. if people are young, almost by definition they will. was saying. if people are young, almost by definition they will be | was saying. if people are young, i almost by definition they will be on lower— almost by definition they will be on lower wages— almost by definition they will be on lower wages than— almost by definition they will be on lower wages than people _ almost by definition they will be on lower wages than people who - almost by definition they will be on lower wages than people who are l lower wages than people who are olden _ lower wages than people who are olden they— lower wages than people who are older. they will— lower wages than people who are older. they will have _ lower wages than people who are older. they will have significant l older. they will have significant student — older. they will have significant student debt _ older. they will have significant student debt which _ older. they will have significant student debt which they- older. they will have significant student debt which they have . older. they will have significant. student debt which they have only 'ust student debt which they have only just started — student debt which they have only just started to _ student debt which they have only just started to pay— student debt which they have only just started to pay down, - student debt which they have only just started to pay down, if- student debt which they have only just started to pay down, if at - student debt which they have only just started to pay down, if at all. | just started to pay down, if at all. they— just started to pay down, if at all. they have — just started to pay down, if at all. they have got _ just started to pay down, if at all. they have got brexit _ just started to pay down, if at all. they have got brexit that - just started to pay down, if at all. they have got brexit that has - just started to pay down, if at all. they have got brexit that hasjustj they have got brexit that hasjust happened — they have got brexit that hasjust happened and _ they have got brexit that hasjust happened and they _ they have got brexit that hasjust happened and they didn't - they have got brexit that hasjust happened and they didn't get - they have got brexit that hasjust happened and they didn't get to i they have got brexit that hasjust. happened and they didn't get to vote on that— happened and they didn't get to vote on that in— happened and they didn't get to vote on that in the — happened and they didn't get to vote on that in the first _ happened and they didn't get to vote on that in the first place. _ happened and they didn't get to vote on that in the first place. we - happened and they didn't get to vote on that in the first place. we talk- on that in the first place. we talk about— on that in the first place. we talk about the 2019 _ on that in the first place. we talk about the 2019 tory voters - on that in the first place. we talk about the 2019 tory voters and l on that in the first place. we talk. about the 2019 tory voters and how they are _ about the 2019 tory voters and how they are switching _ about the 2019 tory voters and how they are switching away, _ about the 2019 tory voters and how they are switching away, but - about the 2019 tory voters and how they are switching away, but this i they are switching away, but this cohort _ they are switching away, but this cohort is— they are switching away, but this cohort is not— they are switching away, but this cohort is not the _ they are switching away, but this cohort is not the 2019 _ they are switching away, but this cohort is not the 2019 voters - cohort is not the 2019 voters because _ cohort is not the 2019 voters because they _ cohort is not the 2019 voters because they didn't - cohort is not the 2019 voters because they didn't have - cohort is not the 2019 voters because they didn't have a l cohort is not the 2019 voters - because they didn't have a chance to vote at _ because they didn't have a chance to vote at all _ because they didn't have a chance to vote at all one _ because they didn't have a chance to vote at all. one thing _ because they didn't have a chance to vote at all. one thing is— because they didn't have a chance to vote at all. one thing is how- because they didn't have a chance to vote at all. one thing is how much . vote at all. one thing is how much they want— vote at all. one thing is how much they want to — vote at all. one thing is how much they want to see _ vote at all. one thing is how much they want to see change _ vote at all. one thing is how much they want to see change coming. vote at all. one thing is how much i they want to see change coming. you travel u- they want to see change coming. you travel up and — they want to see change coming. travel up and down the country, so what are the preoccupations? is there a feeling that politicians are addressing them or not?- there a feeling that politicians are addressing them or not? there is no den in: addressing them or not? there is no denying that — addressing them or not? there is no denying that young _ addressing them or not? there is no denying that young people, - addressing them or not? there is no denying that young people, going i denying that young people, going back to your initial question, that they do care about the environment. but there are bigger things at play here. the cost of living and the housing crisis at the moment. we have been up and down the country, like you said, and they are the two main things that get brought out time and time again. young people have so many feelings about this. the crux of the issue is theyjust don't feel listened to. giee the crux of the issue is they 'ust don't feel listened mi don't feel listened to. give me examples _ don't feel listened to. give me examples of — don't feel listened to. give me examples of their _ don't feel listened to. give me examples of their concerns. i examples of their concerns. individual examples. i was in ashfield in nottinghamshire yesterday speaking to two young girls, debbie who is 19 and her friend millie who is 20. i asked them if they were going to vote in them if they were going to vote in the general election and they said no, absolutely not. that is a really strong reaction. what you say absolutely not? they said, first of all we have no idea to vote for. i asked why. they said there is too much emphasis on political point scoring. there is a lot of talk about the economy and taxes. when it comes to things that young voters are concerned about, like the housing crisis and renting and being able to get onto the housing ladder, or if they are renting just to have lower rents, and the cost of living. their car insurance is between 1000 and £2000 a year. when it comes to having jobs they are working two jobs at the moment. they can't afford to do anything than work. is there a feeling that they are desperate or are they also angry? either actually angry about all of this? do they feel they have lost out on so much anyway? thea;r this? do they feel they have lost out on so much anyway? they are an: out on so much anyway? they are angry when _ out on so much anyway? they are angry when they _ out on so much anyway? they are angry when they go _ out on so much anyway? they are angry when they go on _ out on so much anyway? they are angry when they go on tiktok, . out on so much anyway? they are angry when they go on tiktok, i l out on so much anyway? they are i angry when they go on tiktok, i was speaking to a couple of people in colchester a few days ago, when they go on tiktok they are just burdened with videos from the conservative party, the lib dems, the green party, the lib dems, the green party, any political party, and it is funny video gimmicks that they see and it is political point scoring. they don't care about these videos. they don't want to see other parties making jests of others, they just want to know what will make their lives better and so that they can actually go out and enjoy life. if they are disaffected, where are they going, ed? if they are disaffected, where are they going. ed?— they going, ed? basically the lib dems and the — they going, ed? basically the lib dems and the greens _ they going, ed? basically the lib dems and the greens are - they going, ed? basically the lib i dems and the greens are basically benefiting from this. i am being very unscientific year. by far the most _ very unscientific year. by far the most popular party is the green manifesto. that is not scientific and it _ manifesto. that is not scientific and it will— manifesto. that is not scientific and it will not be replicated at the next election. i think the labour party— next election. i think the labour party was— next election. i think the labour party was about 18,000. if you are presenting — party was about 18,000. if you are presenting young people with an ambitious, progressive set of policies — ambitious, progressive set of policies that a lot of people would like to _ policies that a lot of people would like to see the labour party follow, that might — like to see the labour party follow, that might be supported by young people _ that might be supported by young --eole. , , that might be supported by young eo le, , , ., ., people. elsewhere, if they are not auoin people. elsewhere, if they are not going green. _ people. elsewhere, if they are not going green, there _ people. elsewhere, if they are not going green, there is _ people. elsewhere, if they are not going green, there is evidence - people. elsewhere, if they are not going green, there is evidence ofl going green, there is evidence of them are going to reform. i was in boston in lincolnshire _ them are going to reform. i was in boston in lincolnshire which - them are going to reform. i was in boston in lincolnshire which had i them are going to reform. i was in | boston in lincolnshire which had the biggest _ boston in lincolnshire which had the biggest pro leave in 2016? i spoke to a young — biggest pro leave in 2016? i spoke to a young man who was 20 and who still had _ to a young man who was 20 and who still had braces on and he said i am sick to— still had braces on and he said i am sick to death of everything, boston is impoverished, i can't get on in this town — is impoverished, i can't get on in this town and he said he was keen to id this town and he said he was keen to go to— this town and he said he was keen to go to nigel— this town and he said he was keen to go to nigel farage. fire this town and he said he was keen to go to nigel farage._ this town and he said he was keen to go to nigel farage.— go to nigel farage. are you hearing that as well? _ go to nigel farage. are you hearing that as well? you _ go to nigel farage. are you hearing that as well? you have _ go to nigel farage. are you hearing that as well? you have to _ go to nigel farage. are you hearing that as well? you have to be - go to nigel farage. are you hearing | that as well? you have to be careful about that, — that as well? you have to be careful about that, some _ that as well? you have to be careful about that, some young _ that as well? you have to be careful about that, some young people - that as well? you have to be careful about that, some young people are | about that, some young people are voting reform, but overall more young people are voting labour than anyone else and twice as many people vote on lib dem as reform. it is interesting _ vote on lib dem as reform. it is interesting because _ vote on lib dem as reform. it is interesting because if migration, whatever it is, is third, do you get the sense that young people have the same concerns over migration? the oll we same concerns over migration? the poll we have _ same concerns over migration? tue poll we have done where i work shows young people are much less concerned about immigration than they are about immigration than they are about housing and crime. the same things a lot of other people are interested in. but maybe in some ways that is heightened because they have got a bit less disposable income because their rent is higher. they are a bit more socially liberal than the population at large and immigration is not as big an issue as them. the nigel farage appeal may not be quite the same as it is to others. . , , others. that is interesting in itself. if it — others. that is interesting in itself. if it is _ others. that is interesting in itself. if it is the _ others. that is interesting in itself. if it is the case - others. that is interesting in itself. if it is the case that i others. that is interesting in - itself. if it is the case that some young people are against the conservatives and for labour, it is not necessarily because labour are talking about immi