The rise of Reform UK for young people

An apparent shift to the right presents both a warning and a wake-up call

In the 2024 UK General Election, Reform UK increased its votes by over 3 million, contributing to a vote share of 14.3%. This scarily aligns with a broader global trend of rising far-right politics, including the re-election of Donald Trump and the success of Germany’s AfD. Young Britons are understandably concerned about Reform’s influence on UK politics. 

Reform UK focuses on anxieties surrounding migration, gender, and national identity, narratives that traditionally resonate with older, white, working-class voters who feel left behind by globalisation and political elites. Since Brexit in 2016, the party has begun to gain traction among young voters, particularly men between 18-24. This shift is driven by political disengagement, misinformation, and a growing appetite for radical alternatives to centrist parties. 

One of the most significant factors behind Reform UK’s rise is the ability to leverage social media, enabling the party to spread more effectively than traditional campaigns. Platforms like TikTok and ‘X’ allow reform to not only bypass mainstream media but also communicate directly with young audiences. However, social media also crucially reinforces pre-existing biases as algorithms are designed to promote content aligning with users' prior interactions, creating echo chambers.  

While Reform secured 16% of white voters, only 3% of ethnic minority voters supported the party in 2024. A YouGov survey also showed that while Reform UK collectively made up 18% of the 18-24-year-old vote, young men were twice as likely to vote for Reform (12% to 6% of young women). These figures suggest that while Reform has successfully created a digital mobilisation tool, there are still significant areas of young electoral voters they have yet to persuade. 

As mentioned previously, Reform’s policies present global trends. From anti-migrant policies,, to removing “critical race theory” from school curricula. Promoting the British Empire’s “benefits” and rolling back equality laws, Reform UK’s 2024 policies present concerning repetitive rhetoric of ideologies that marginalise huge communities internationally. 

The real concern is not just Reform’s rise but the inability of young people to challenge it.

However, despite this, there are many international divisions which mirror these populist movements. For instance, despite ideological similarities between Reform and the AfD, both have distanced themselves. Richard Tice branded Reform as a “centrist common people’s party”, and Alice Weidel argued that the reform party model does not work within Germany’s political frame. Additionally, while billionaire eccentric Elon Musk has previously endorsed Reform UK, he has since demanded changes in leadership, arguing Farage “doesn’t have what it takes.” As shown throughout history, populist parties rely on forming international recognition and alliances.Disagreements over leadership and alliances raise questions about Reform’s long-term viability,especially in legislative implementation, due to fractures in its internal leadership. 

The real concern is not just Reform’s rise but the inability of young people to challenge it. Many seek policies that address living standards, economic opportunities, and free speech without promoting hate, yet centrist parties fail to engage them. For instance, while the Labour Party promised support for young people, including apprenticeships and legislation for zero-hour contracts, these were overshadowed by election narratives focused on the economy and migration. Radical parties—whether left or right—gain traction because mainstream politics ignores youth concerns. Yet under the First Past the Post system, parties like the Greens and Reform struggle to turn votes into parliamentary power, alienating youth-driven policies from the centre stage. 

When rationalising the 2024 General Election statistics, it is also important to identify areas of resistance and the potential risk of fear-mongering we otherwise see in our media. Firstly, while Reform secured 5 MPs, the Greens also had a historic night, securing four. While Reform did increase its votes this was also the lowest turnout since 2001, attributed partly to many young people who boycotted the election due to the stances on the Middle Eastern conflict. Reform UK also did not gain seats from any left-leaning party; instead took votes away from the Conservative Party, signalling increased polarization within the right rather than a widespread far-right shift. 

In reality, the rise of the Reform Party and its global counterparts is a symptom and catalyst for wider frustrations with a political system that limits voices, especially economically and socially vulnerable young people.  If we want to protect marginalized communities and re-engage the youth in politics, centrist parties must do more than criticize Reform—they must offer meaningful alternatives. While its social media presence is significant, Reform’s ability to dictate policy remains limited by the wider electoral bases and divisions universally in populist politics, making any electoral success a warning, but not a sign of inevitability. The fight against the far right is necessary—and it’s a fight worth taking.

Published 4 April 2025