The 2024 UK general election will feature five of the youngest candidates looking to shake up the political landscape. Driven by personal experience and passion, Pedro da Conceição, Martha O’Neill, Luke Allan Holmes, Rebecca Jones and Ross Clarke are tackling issues such as investment in public services, youth representation, housing costs and local challenges.
Martha O’Neill, 26, the Labour candidate from Carferdyn, is campaigning for youth representation and diversity in the 2024 UK general election.
The UK’s 2024 general election is fast approaching, and the country’s young people are more active than ever before, taking things into their own hands. In an attempt to shake up the UK political landscape, we profile five of the youngest candidates in the race.
At just 18 years old, Pedro da Conceição is running as an independent in West London, topping the list as the youngest candidate on this year’s electoral roll. He was born in Portugal but grew up in the UK, with his mother working as an NHS nurse. He entered politics out of a desire to address the under-representation of young people’s voices in Parliament. He cites his first-hand experience and observation of the contribution immigrants make to the economy. Pedro is calling for greater investment in immigrants’ contribution to the economy. public serviceHe also calls for a smarter approach to tackling issues such as knife crime.
Joining Pedro on this list is Martha O’Neill. 26-year-old Martha stands tall as the Labour candidate from a mining town in Wales. Her upbringing meant she relied on government support. This, combined with her subsequent academic achievements, including a scholarship to Cambridge, propelled Martha into politics. Her mission is simple: to amplify the voices of Carferdyn’s young people. She aims to reiterate the vital importance of democratic representation that reflects the diversity of the UK population.
Luke Alan Holmes, 21, is the Conservative Representative for Durham City. Luke has a background in retail and public services. This, combined with his first-hand experience of local challenges in County Durham, motivates him. Like many of his predecessors, he wants to tackle long-standing community issues that are often overlooked by more established politicians.
Rebecca Jones is running for the Liberal Democrats in Hackney North and Stoke Newington. Jones’s work centres around restoring student subsidies and tackling the rising cost of housing – essentially tackling issues that directly affect young people like herself. Rebecca is a proud transgender woman whose goal is to promote inclusivity.
Ross Clarke is a Scottish National Party councillor. With his experience as a local councillor and a lifelong resident of Hamilton and the Clyde Valley, Ross’s aim is to invigorate community representation. Inspired by former Scottish National Party councillor Mhairi Black, he wants to follow in her footsteps.
These candidates have no choice but to navigate the nuances of electoral politics. It remains to be seen who can withstand the pressure and see this race through to the end.
