Youth Wings and Student Wings of Political Parties

Abstract

This chapter analyses the many youth wings and student wings of mainstream British political parties. The chapter first traces the creation and historical background of the youth and student wings of the main parties. It then analyses the social and political roles fulfilled by youth wings and student wings, which come to the fore at election time. The chapter argues that political parties tend to keep their youth sections at arm’s length and deny them any real input or power, thereby depriving themselves of an important political critical mass of young activists and young people a voice. The chapter closes with an analysis of the often uncoordinated and under-financed political communication methods employed by youth wings and student wings in general elections through digital technologies.