Disaffection among young UK voters fuelling growth of smaller parties

Apathy, economic insecurity and feeling ignored is driving the under-35s away from Labour and the Tories

Young people feel more economically insecure, ignored and apathetic than the average voter before the election, amid evidence that they could be fuelling the growth of smaller parties.

A strong rejection of the Conservative party among the youngest voters continues to be evident: the latest Opinium poll for the Observer has a 52-point Labour lead among the under-35s.