Confirmed speakers include:

Andrew Harrop, General Secretary, Fabian Society
Dr Stuart Fox, Wiserd, Cardiff University
Professor Phil Cowley, Professor of Politics, Queen Mary University of London
Dr Jeannie Bristow, Senior Sociology and Social Policy Lecturer, Canterbury Christ Church University
Dr James Sloam, Reader in Politics and International Relations, Royal Holloway, University of London
Dr Andrew Mycock, Reader in Politics, University of Huddersfield
Abby Tomlinson, Host of Westminster Abby and Co-Founder of the Milifandom
David Eaton, Policy and Public Affairs Officer, ILC-UK

Recent elections and referenda in the UK have implied a growing intergenerational divide. Older people have voted in larger proportions than younger cohorts leading to vocal concerns from journalists, politicians, and academics that older people are having an increasingly dominant impact on UK politics.

The public debate is getting angrier. The argument goes that older people are benefitting while younger people are finding themselves increasingly politically and socially excluded. Following the EU referendum, The Independent ran a story “How old people have screwed over the younger generation”. Huffington Post ran another under the headline “Young ‘Screwed By Older Generations”.

But how real is this intergenerational divide? During this debate we will explore whether, and how policy can best respond. We will explore:

• Why are younger people poorly engaged in elections?
• What does an ageing society mean for the future of participation by younger people?
• What are the policy solutions: How can we get young people more engaged in elections?

If you are interested in attending this event, please write to events@ilcuk.org.uk