LONDON – British Prime Minister David Cameron will urge young Britons on Thursday to make sure they vote in a June 23 referendum on membership of the European Union, warning that leaving the bloc would hit youth voters hardest.
With overall public opinion evenly split, youth voters are expected to play an important role in the referendum outcome because polling shows they are generally more pro-European, but less inclined to vote.
Cameron, who wants Britain to stay in the 28-country bloc, will speak at the launch of a campaign targeted specifically at young voters.
“Get out there. Register. Vote. Tell your parents, grandparents, friends and colleagues: this referendum will really help determine whether your generation is stronger, safer and better off,” he will say according to extracts of his speech.
Cameron will argue that young people’s job prospects would be disproportionately affected by the economic impact of an EU exit.
“Who gets hit hardest by those shocks? Young people,” he will say.
The rival “Out” campaign dismissed that claim, saying that money sent to Brussels under Britain’s membership terms was adding to the national debt that would have to be paid off by young workers.
“The best thing we could do for current and future generations is to take back control and spend our money on our priorities,” said Tom Harwood, Chairman of Students for Britain.
Get out there. Register. Vote. Tell your parents, grandparents, friends and colleagues: this referendum will really help determine whether your generation is stronger, safer and better off.”
-David Cameron, British Prime Minister.
