In this election year in both the USA and the UK the traditional focus on swing constituencies/states is being challenged by the notion of the swing generation.

It is becoming increasingly evident that the younger voter potentially holds the key to election results in both nations.

In the United States, the influence of swing states in determining electoral outcomes has been a longstanding narrative. However, a shift is occurring as younger generations, armed with fresh perspectives and unique concerns, become a powerful force in shaping political discourse. 

This can be seen most emphatically in the very low levels of support President Biden has, amongst registered Democrat voters, for what is perceived as his administration’s “Pro-Israel“ foreign policy. Amongst younger Democrat voters the traditional “Israel right or wrong” archetype has been dismissed, and marches across the US show that, unless Biden does something to correct this, he will lose key states as the younger Democrat either opts for an independent third party or abstains.

This trend is reflective of a broader global movement where traditional party political positions are challenged by younger voters.

The United Kingdom is witnessing a similar transformation. Whereas in the US it is foreign policy that appears to be the wedge between generations, in the UK it is more prosaic; housing.