It's a battle faced by all political parties: engaging young people and keeping them active. And in the digital age of endless choice and constant distraction, there's a whole lot of different avenues for young people to have a voice. Whereas political parties were once seen as a place for politics, sport, and social engagement, they are now the bastions of activists. According to surveys the so-called “tipping point” - the age at which people are more likely to vote Conservative than Labour - has increased from 47 to 51 since the 2017 general election. The average age of Conservative Party members is 72, according to the Bow Group think tank. Is the problem with policy? Should we be utilising technology more? How does the Party communicate with a younger audience? How can the Party attract new members and voters?

Speakers:

Emma Mi – Emma is a doctor and a clinical fellow at NHS England, working on healthcare policy and strategy. She joined the Conservative Party while studying at Cambridge and has been an activist and campaigner for several years. She was previously Deputy Chair Membership of Ealing & Acton Conservative Association and is currently a Vice President of Conservative Young Women.

Sophia Worringer - Sophia is originally from Liverpool and studied history at King’s College London. She previously worked for a Conservative Member of the House of Lords on family policy, including on a Government commissioned report on family ties for women in prison, and at the Centre for Social Justice. She now works for Sir Iain Duncan Smith M.P.

Daniel Grice - Daniel is a disability’s advocate with the Conservative Disability Group. He is a Policy Officer for the Conservative Friends of the Commonwealth as well as being a proud member of the Halesowen and Rowley Regis Conservatives.

Oliver Hall - Oliver is currently a Law student at The City Law School in London. He joined the Conservative Party during the 2017 General Election campaign, and has been actively involved since. Oliver has a keen interest in social mobility and access to education, working with Stonewall and Oxfordshire County Council on anti-bullying and education policy.

Samantha Conlon - Samantha is South East London Area Chair for the Conservative Women’s Organisation. She is committed to getting more women engaged in politics and is Policy Officer for Conservative Young Women.