This election could see record low voter turnout – and the main parties have nobody but themselves to blame

Turnout could hit a record low in the general election, many experienced observers tell The Independent. Robert Hayward, the Conservative peer and elections guru, said: “I have felt that we may have a record low turnout because it is clear that a lot of voters look politically homeless.”

Luke Tryl of More in Common, the polling and campaigning organisation, said: “It certainly wouldn’t surprise me if turnout hit a low this year.”

An exclusive opinion poll for The Independent carried out by Techne found that one in five electors has already decided not to vote. Michela Morizzo, Techne’s chief executive, said: “The risk of a low turnout is very high.” One of the causes is the uninspiring choice presented by the two main parties. As Ms Morizzo put it, “there is abstentionism among those who voted Conservative and have lost confidence”, while the Labour alternative has failed to generate much enthusiasm to compensate.

Whereas turnout had always been higher than 70 per cent in the United Kingdom before 2001, it slumped to 59 per cent in that election, and has been between 61 and 69 per cent in the five elections since then. We ought to regard it as a collective national failure if it falls below 60 per cent this time.

Turnout has always been lower among young people, but they are entitled to feel particularly disengaged from politics at the moment. The Conservative campaign seems almost to have been designed to put them off. The core vote strategy that has focused so much on older voters, to try to stop them defecting to Nigel Farage’s Reform party, is what prompted one voter to ask Rishi Sunak why he hated young people so much at one recent campaign event. Compulsory so-called national service, a tax cut for pensioners and an attack on degree courses that old people do not like the sound of – these are not policies intended to inspire young people.

They follow small but mean measures designed to make it harder to vote, such as requiring photographic identity documents at polling stations. However self-interested Labour’s support for votes at 16 might be, at least it is trying to involve more people in democracy, rather than fewer.

The Conservative Party also seems to have given up on one of the biggest issues for young people, which is the difficulty and expense of finding a place to rent, let alone to buy. Labour says it will build 1.5 million homes in five years but seems to lack the urgency to sell the policy with conviction.

Meanwhile, both main parties are engaged in a conspiracy of shameful silence over Brexit: a decision made eight years ago that divides the country sharply by age. Many millions of young people feel that their European future has been stolen from them, but that Labour is suppressing the issue for tactical reasons.

At least there are some signs that the Liberal Democrats are prepared to broach the subject. As we report today, the party will include a plan in its manifesto to allow under-35s to live, study and work in the EU.

Scepticism among voters generally – not just young people – about the ability of politicians to make their lives better is understandable after the turmoil of the past five years. But the apathy and disengagement of so many voters is an indictment of politicians of all parties. However difficult these times are, the promise of democracy is that people can work together to find the best way forward.

Let us have some optimism about the future, and let us all work to encourage as many people as possible to take part in the decisions about their future.