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John Smith Centre

@johnsmithcentre.com
822 followers 532 following 343 posts

Working to open doors to public life and politics for young people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to give them the opportunity to serve. Director: Eddie Barnes 🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com 📍 University of Glasgow

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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 2h
@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 2h
The Parliamentary Internship Programme opened doors to politics and public life for @glasgow.ac.uk student Georgina Stewart this year 🚀 📝 Applications for the 2027 programme open at 10.00am on Friday 2 October – visit our website to find out how to apply! 👉 www.johnsmithcentre.com/our-work/int...
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 29/09/2026
Our own Dr Joe Greenwood-Hau contributed to this list - check it out to find your next political read! 📖
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 28/09/2026
📢 Applications for the John Smith Centre Parliamentary Internship Programme 2027 will open on Fri 2 October! 📝 Applications will be capped at 100 – start working on yours now to ensure you are considered for a spot on the programme: www.johnsmithcentre.com/our-work/int... @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
Designed graphic with text reading: "Parliamentary Internship Programme 2027 applications open soon. A 10-week placement with an MSP/MP in their constituency or regional office; open to 2026/27 junior and senior honours level undergraduate students at Scottish universities; flexible working pattern (7 hours per week); paid above Real Living Wage. Apply from 2 October 2026!" The graphic also shows a photo of the Scottish Parliament Building and the John Smith Centre logo.
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 24/09/2026
Our new 'Not just politics as usual' course kicked off at #UofG this afternoon 🙌 We're so excited to be bringing a wide variety of speakers to campus this semester to give students from across UofG insights into making meaningful change happen - watch this space! 👀 @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
Dr Joe Greenwood-Hau delivering a lecture to a room full of students at the University of Glasgow.
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 24/09/2026
📢 The last of our #UKYouthPoll2026 student blogs is out now! Read @uofgsps.bsky.social student Anna Miller's blog to find out why young people today can't afford to grow up, why this matters, & what needs to happen to fix it ⬇️ #UKYouthPoll @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
johnsmithcentre.com
YOUNG PEOPLE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO GROW UP - John Smith Centre
The UK Youth Poll 2026 reveals that financial insecurity isn’t a phase of youth – it’s becoming a permanent condition, redefining what it means to reach adulthood. For decades, growing up meant…
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 11/09/2026
📢 ICYMI: our new polling on how young people in the UK feel about work and their own circumstances was published earlier this week. Read Centre Director @eddiebarnes.bsky.social's blog to see our key takeaways 👇 @uofgsocsci.bsky.social @nationwideuk.bsky.social @focaldata.bsky.social
johnsmithcentre.com
POLL: IT'S TIME TO GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITIES THEY NEED - John Smith Centre
By Eddie Barnes EARLIER this year, our UK Youth Poll – sponsored by Nationwide – exposed the rising tide of financial anxiety among younger generations. On a list of what worries them, ‘financial…
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 10/09/2026
📊 View the poll in detail on our website: www.johnsmithcentre.com/research-sum...
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 09/09/2026
@focaldata.bsky.social @uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social @uofgasbs.bsky.social
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 09/09/2026
🚨 New polling alert! 🚨 📊 Our latest poll sponsored by @nationwideuk.bsky.social reveals young people across the UK are calling on government to do more to support them into good jobs, and many are considering moving abroad if none are available. 🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com/research-sum...
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 03/09/2026
It was a huge pleasure to welcome Gordon Brown to @glasgow.ac.uk last night to talk to our Director Eddie Barnes about his new book ‘The Future Starts With Us’. Mr Brown remains one of the most inspirational speakers around - you're welcome back any time! 🙌 @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
John Smith Centre Director Eddie Barnes and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown sitting onstage in the University of Glasgow's Bute Hall, 2 September 2026. They are in conversation with one another and are both smiling. A John Smith Centre pull-up banner can be seen in the background, as well as a large projector screen showing the front cover of Gordon's book 'The Future Starts With Us'.
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 31/08/2026
@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social @uofgasbs.bsky.social @uofglaw.bsky.social @uofgeducation.bsky.social
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 31/08/2026
Human rights and youth campaigner @motazamer.bsky.social is just one of the fantastic guest speakers we have lined up for the new 'Not just politics as usual' course at @glasgow.ac.uk ✨ Enrol now on MyCampus (SPS1012) to secure your spot! More details ➡️ www.johnsmithcentre.com/our-work/not...
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 25/08/2026
🚨 Don't miss out on your chance to see Gordon Brown at the #UniversityOfGlasgow next week - get your tickets now at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gordon-bro... 📅 Wednesday 2 September 🕖 7.00pm-9.00pm 📍 Saltire Lecture Theatre, James McCune Smith Learning Hub @glasgow.ac.uk @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown speaking onstage at the 2025 John Smith Memorial Lecture in the Cadogan Hall, London.
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 20/08/2026
⌛️ There's still time to get your tickets for our event on free speech at @parliament.scot's Festival of Politics next week! 📅 Fri 28 August 2026 📍 Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh 🎟️ Available via link below @proftomkins.bsky.social @nikwilliams.bsky.social @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
festivalofpolitics.citizenticket.co.uk
When does free speech become hate speech? - Buy tickets
Freedom of expression, even if some find certain views offensive, is lauded as one of the most important civil liberties. When does free speech become hate speech and what part does social media play?
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 17/08/2026
@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social @uofgasbs.bsky.social @uofglaw.bsky.social
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 17/08/2026
📣 Calling first and second year @glasgow.ac.uk students: 'Not just politics as usual' is open for enrolment! Places are limited, so enrol now on MyCampus (SPS1012) to secure your spot. More details including eligibility criteria available here: www.johnsmithcentre.com/our-work/not...
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 13/08/2026
❗ICYMI: There's still time to secure your spot to see Gordon Brown at @glasgow.ac.uk next month! 👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gordon-bro... #UniversityOfGlasgow @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 11/08/2026
@nationwideuk.bsky.social @focaldata.bsky.social @uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 11/08/2026
We’re pleased to announce that the #UKYouthPoll2026 survey data is now available via the UK Data Service! 🎉 🔗 doi.org/10.5255/UKDA... It offers unrivalled insight into young people’s views of politics, society, and the big issues they face. We’d be delighted to see it used by others! ✨️
Designed graphic with text reading: "UK Youth Poll 2026. How are young people feeling about themselves and the country at large? What do they want from society and government? We've asked 2000+ young people. Explore the findings today." The graphic also shows the logos of the John Smith Centre, Nationwide, the University of Glasgow, and Focaldata.
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 10/08/2026
@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social @uofgasbs.bsky.social @uofglaw.bsky.social
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 10/08/2026
How does political change happen? And who has the power to bring it about? 🤔 If you're a 1st or 2nd year @glasgow.ac.uk student, you can take our new course to find out. Places are limited, so enrol now on MyCampus (SPS1012) to secure your spot! More info: www.johnsmithcentre.com/our-work/not...
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UofG Centre for Public Policy @uofgpolicy.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
We are delighted to see so many #TeamUofG @glasgow.ac.uk experts at the 2026 @parliament.scot Festival of Politics on 27 and 28 August 👏💡 Check out the full programme: festivalofpolitics.citizenticket.co.uk/organiser/th... Here's a handy thread of all UofG speaker events... ⬇️🧵
festivalofpolitics.citizenticket.co.uk
The Festival of Politics 2026 - Browse events on Citizen Ticket
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 05/08/2026
We're delighted to announce the launch of the John Smith Centre's second course for @glasgow.ac.uk students! 🎉 Find out more about the new Curriculum for Life course, including eligibility criteria, via the link below ⬇️ @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
johnsmithcentre.com
Not Just Politics as Usual Course - John Smith Centre
Not Just Politics as Usual The John Smith Centre guide to making change Course at Not just politics as usual offers students from across the University of Glasgow a unique opportunity to hear from…
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 04/08/2026
@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social @uofgasbs.bsky.social @uofgpolicy.bsky.social
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 04/08/2026
Join us to hear Gordon Brown discuss his new book The Future Starts With Us with John Smith Centre Director Eddie Barnes at @glasgow.ac.uk. 📅 Wednesday 2 September, 7.00pm-9.00pm 📍 Saltire Lecture Theatre, James McCune Smith Learning Hub 🎟️ Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gordon-bro...
Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown speaking onstage at the 2025 John Smith Memorial Lecture in the Cadogan Hall, London.
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 04/08/2026
@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 04/08/2026
📊 The #UKYouthPoll2026 shows that young people remain optimistic about their own lives, but are increasingly anxious about the direction of the country. In today's blog, our chair @andersoniain.bsky.social sets out what the new PM needs to do to address young people's concerns & rebuild trust 👇
johnsmithcentre.com
OUR NEW PRIME MINISTER HAS THE CHANCE TO CREATE A NEW CONTRACT WITH BRITAIN'S YOUNG PEOPLE - John Smith Centre
By Iain Anderson, chair of the John Smith Centre The first weeks of any new premiership are filled with expectation. Never more so than now. For our new Prime Minister, there is now a real opportunity...
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Reposted by John Smith Centre
UofG School of Social & Political Sciences @uofgsps.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
"Young adults are locked out from the future they’re ready to shape" Great to see findings from @johnsmithcentre.com UK Youth Poll mentioned in this @prospectmagazine.co.uk feature about young people's prospects and happiness in the UK. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/741...
prospectmagazine.co.uk
Britain’s next generation is all grown up
Alienated, ignored—and stuck at home with mum and dad. Young adults are locked out from the future they’re ready to shape
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 27/07/2026
📢 New blog alert! Following on from a presentation delivered at The British Academy's Ideas Festival in June, Joe Greenwood-Hau's latest blog looks at young people's perceptions of privilege and politics, and how these impact their engagement in politics. #UKYouthPoll2026 @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
johnsmithcentre.com
YOUNG AND MARGINALISED? VIEWS OF PRIVILEGE AND POLITICS AMONG 16-29-YEAR-OLDS IN THE UK - John Smith Centre
There is widespread recognition that the image of politics as dominated by middle-aged, middle-class, privately- and university-educated white men (with degrees in phisolophy, politics, and economics,...
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 23/07/2026
The #UKYouthPoll2026 shows that support for intervention outweighs support for isolationism when it comes to young people's views on UK foreign policy 🌍 Read our latest blog by Charlotte Caddy to find out more 👇 #UKYouthPoll @uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
johnsmithcentre.com
INTERNATIONALISM, NOT ISOLATIONISM: YOUNG PEOPLE'S PERSPECTIVES ON UK FOREIGN POLICY - John Smith Centre
UK Youth Poll 2026 shows that support for intervention outweighs support for isolationism among young Britons. Isolationist perspectives are becoming increasingly prominent in the foreign policy narra...
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 21/07/2026
Young people in the UK are often described as politically disengaged – but are we seeing the full picture? 🤔 Read @glasgow.ac.uk student Ostap Zaiats' recent blog to find out what our #UKYouthPoll2026 reveals about youth engagement in politics 👇 @uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
johnsmithcentre.com
ARE YOUNG PEOPLE ACTUALLY POLITICALLY APATHETIC, OR SIMPLY UNHEARD? WHAT THE UK YOUTH POLL REVEALS ABOUT YOUTH ENGAGEMENT - John Smith Centre
Young people in the UK are often described as politically disengaged because they are less likely to join traditional political parties or vote as consistently as older generations do. However, the UK...
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 24/06/2026
📊 Our #UKYouthPoll2026 student blog series continues today with a new piece written by Lillie Parker! Read Lillie's blog to discover what the poll reveals about young people's ideas of what it means to be British – some of the findings may surprise you 🤔 #UKYouthPoll @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
johnsmithcentre.com
MAJORITY OF 25- TO 29-YEAR-OLDS SAY BRITISH ANCESTRY MATTERS - John Smith Centre
It is often said that young people reject traditional ideas of Britishness. Recent findings complicate this. The John Smith Centre’s UK Youth Poll 2026 asked about the importance of British ancestry…
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 23/06/2026
📢 EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT! We're teaming up with @parliament.scot's Festival of Politics again for a panel discussion on when free speech becomes hate speech, chaired by @eddiebarnes.bsky.social 🎤 📅 28 August 2026 📍 Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh 🎟️ Available via the link below @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
festivalofpolitics.citizenticket.co.uk
When does free speech become hate speech? - Buy tickets
Freedom of expression, even if some find certain views offensive, is lauded as one of the most important civil liberties. When does free speech become hate speech and what part does social media play?
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 16/06/2026
📱 Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced plans to ban social media for under-16s in the UK. Read our latest research blog by @uofglasgow student Isaac McCrory to discover the nuanced views of young people on social media bans & online misinformation 👇 #UKYouthPoll2026 @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
johnsmithcentre.com
YOUNG PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA: TO BAN OR NOT TO BAN? - John Smith Centre
The John Smith Centre’s UK Youth Poll 2026 shows young people occupy an online media landscape they don’t fully trust. Social media is here to stay, and we’re better off fixing it than binning it.…
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 12/06/2026
🚨 The #UKYouthPoll2026 found that only 36% of 16-29-year-olds in the UK believe they will be better off than their parents – a dramatic collapse from 63% in 2025. Read Dr Joe Greenwood-Hau's new blog to find out what is driving this decline 👇 #UKYouthPoll #GenZ @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
johnsmithcentre.com
A CRISIS IN THE MAKING: WHY SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE THINK THEIR LIVES WILL BE WORSE THAN THEIR PARENTS’ - John Smith Centre
One of the most striking findings of the UK Youth Poll 2026 was the fall in the number of young people who think their lives will eventually be better than their parents’. In 2025, 63% thought that…
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 11/06/2026
📊 The #UKYouthPoll2026 was shaped by @glasgow.ac.uk students, who chose its themes and wrote many of the survey questions. 📹️ Watch the video below to hear some of the key findings directly from them! Full findings 👉️ ukyouthpoll.com #UKYouthPoll @uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 09/06/2026
Yesterday, the John Smith Centre brought 70 S5 and S6 pupils from schools across the West of Scotland to @glasgow.ac.uk to take part in a mock election campaign 🗳️ It was fantastic to see a room full of young people engaging so enthusiastically in politics! 🌟 @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 08/06/2026
@abheerkukreja.bsky.social
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 08/06/2026
🟢 The #UKYouthPoll2026 found that most young people would vote Green in a General Election, with 23% against Labour's 16% and Reform's 14%. Read Youth Poll project student Abheer Kukreja's blog to learn what the poll can tell us about why this is 👇 #UKYouthPoll #GreenParty @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
johnsmithcentre.com
WHY ARE YOUNG BRITONS GOING GREEN? - John Smith Centre
The John Smith Centre UK Youth Poll 2026 delivers a result that should surprise anyone who thinks they understand British youth politics. The Green Party is now the single most popular party among…
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 04/06/2026
📊 Our series of blogs by Youth Poll Project students at @glasgow.ac.uk continues today! 📱 Read Ellie Craig's blog to find out what young people REALLY think about a social media ban for under-16s. #UKYouthPoll2026 #GenZ @uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
johnsmithcentre.com
IS A BAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA THE ANSWER TO TACKLING ONLINE HARMS? WHAT YOUNG PEOPLE REALLY THINK - John Smith Centre
The UK Youth Poll 2026 shows that most young people support banning social media for under-16s, but this support varies significantly by age and that attitudes are shifting. Perhaps unsurprisingly,…
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 02/06/2026
And young people are even more pessimistic. The John Smith Centre’s #UKYouthPoll2026 showed that only 36% of 16-29-year-olds think a degree is worth the cost, whilst 48% think it’s not 🎓 📊 Read the full UK Youth Poll 2026 report on our website: ukyouthpoll.com #UKYouthPoll #GenZ
bbc.co.uk
Student loan inquiry begins as a third of people say university degree not worth it
MPs will hear the concerns of graduates about the size of their student debts, and the interest rates.
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 02/06/2026
Why does only Britain stand on the brink of a populist-right majority? 🤔 📰 In our latest research blog, Stuart Donald summarises his research for @compassoffice.bsky.social into the links between #FirstPastThePost and growing inequality and support for right-wing populism in Britain. Read below 👇
johnsmithcentre.com
WHY DOES ONLY BRITAIN STAND ON THE BRINK OF A POPULIST-RIGHT MAJORITY? - John Smith Centre
Across north-western Europe, populist-right parties have surged in popularity. In some cases, they have entered government including Sweden, Finland, Austria and the Netherlands. Yet in none of these ...
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 01/06/2026
Our #UKYouthPoll2026 found that young people increasingly feel that the cards are stacked against their generation – only 25% believe that they are treated fairly compared with older generations ⚖️ Read the report to find out more: 🔗 www.ukyouthpoll.com #UKYouthPoll #GenZ @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
Designed graphic with text reading: "Being a young person in the UK is being robbed of the life we were meant to have." (Woman, 27). The graphic also shows the UK Youth Poll 2026 logo.
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 29/05/2026
We were delighted to host an event with Prosper at @uofgasbs.bsky.social today that brought together companies to discuss how we can help get young people into careers in public life and politics 🌟 A big thank you to our speakers and to all those who attended! 🙌 @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 29/05/2026
@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 29/05/2026
📢 New research blog alert! 📊 In the first of a series of blogs written by @glasgow.ac.uk students who took our Youth Poll Project course and set the agenda for the #UKYouthPoll2026, Max Liu explores what the findings can tell us about why young people are turning towards insurgent parties.
johnsmithcentre.com
CAN YOU REALLY BLAME US? WHY YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ABANDONING THE POLITICAL MAINSTREAM - John Smith Centre
The UK Youth Poll 2026 reveals that young people aren’t switching off from politics — but when the system makes meaningful participation nearly impossible, voting for insurgent parties is becoming the...
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 28/05/2026
🚨 Alan Milburn's 'Young people and work' report published today warns that Britain is breeding a "lost generation". 📰 Eddie Barnes' latest blog reflects on the findings and calls for policies that put the needs of young people first – read it below 👇 @uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
johnsmithcentre.com
MILBURN'S WAKE-UP CALL TO BACK BRITAIN'S YOUNG - John Smith Centre
By Eddie Barnes The warning by former Labour Health Minister Alan Milburn today that Britain is breeding a “lost generation” of young people is absolutely correct. By the end of this decade, according...
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 25/05/2026
@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @nationwideuk.bsky.social @focaldata.bsky.social
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · 25/05/2026
💡 A key finding from the #UKYouthPoll2026 is that AI is viewed by young people with a mix of apprehension & cautious optimism. 💼 Their biggest fear is its impact on jobs, while its biggest perceived benefit is its potential to support education. Find out more: ukyouthpoll.com #UKYouthPoll #GenZ
Designed graphic with text reading: "55% rank loss of jobs as a top three threat of AI. 26% rank it as the number one threat." The graphic also shows the UK Youth Poll 2026 logo.
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