Why do the young Americans go out and vote and the Young Brits don't?

[Britpilot90]

Just been looking ar my twitter feed, and a lot of my Americans followers etc on there brag about how they went out and voted yesterday , compared to the last general election in the UK where I was literally the only one in my group of friends who made the effort. Does anyone have any idea why the attitudes are different?

[thunderingMastermind712]

Many don't here. Less than 1/2 our eligible population voted.

[gentlepail457]

Well Romney was taking from America (Abortions, welfare etc.) Then we had Obama we already had him for four years we know how he runs things and he is more about education and helping people if it wasnt for this big problem not many people wouldnt have went out and voted.

[Ben]

No one cares here, no one cares at all.

[Megatron]

We dont have any inspiing politicians and our elections are so predictable they are decided years in advance,

Cameron and the Tories are hated, Labour have unassailable opinion poll leads and therefore its a formality.

British elections lack glamour, there is nothing of interest, Labour has won the 2015 election yet its only 2012, so why bother voting if the election is already decided.

Also smaller parties such as UKIP are growing in popularity but realistically they can hope for a seat in the commons and take the Tory votes.

Whats the point in anyone of any age voting.

[kabeer.vohra]

In America they support politicians like they are sports teams and from a young age they talk about politics with their friends and once they become old enough they rush to the ballot box. In UK politics is much more serious and youngsters who are not well informed are frightened away from making such a big decision when they are not fully informed. Personally I prefer the UK system better because people make a decision after investigating all the facts instead of choosing the person they prefer

[straightcrib318]

Media induced apathy.

UK citizens really have no idea how important it is that they go and vote.

Democracy has been reduced to one X on one piece of paper once every four years, and many people won't even do that!

The people that don't vote have no right to complain about politics.

People can do as I do: Vote for the least bad!

It isn't too difficult, as it really is a two-horse race!

[Chris]

Perhaps I am wrong, but I think in America you push a button on a screen, only 2 choices. In our general election there were 2 papers, many candidates, 2 different ballot boxes and a pencil on a piece of string and a lot to read. Maybe they cannot be bothered with this ancient method.
Make it all on-line and we would have a larger turn-out. We pay our bills on-line why cant we vote on-line? It is quicker to count too.

[highroller96]

In america its considered the most important thing you can do, its drilled into most young children's heads to vote, and they do.

[John G]

Many people in the UK were so fed up with Labour they just refused to vote, less than 30% of under 30s bothered to vote in the UK, its the main reason we have a coalition.