The Conservative party is the most successful political party in history. It has achieved this because of a willingness to continuously reinvent to meet the challenges of the day.

Thatcher’s party remodelled our society for a globalised age. The Cameron Government guided our economy through the aftermath of the financial crash, and the Conservatives protected the most vulnerable during the pandemic by delivering the vaccine programme. 

The party now faces a new challenge - the generational divide - which is preventing younger voters from gaining a stake in the UK. Millennials and Gen Z are struggling to keep what we earn, own our own home and start a family. To have faith in a capitalist society, and in turn the Conservative Party, younger generations need to be offered a vision for the future which they can believe in. 

Age is the new dividing line in politics. It is now a stronger indication of voting intention than class, gender or race - and will be a defining feature of UK politics over the next decade. Unlike previous generations, as Millennial voters reach their thirties and forties they are no longer turning to the Conservatives, presenting an existential challenge for the party. 

To win the support of these voters, the party must tackle the root cause of the generational divide which has pushed younger people to other parties - Work, Home and Family. Stagnant wages, unaffordable homes and the soaring cost of raising a family is pushing voters away from the Conservative Party. Addressing these areas is the key to unlocking the support of the under-45s, reigniting a Conservative vision for the next generation where aspirational voters can afford to own their own and start a family if they wish. 

Tackling the generational divide will also rekindle the UK economy, as these generational issues are symptomatic of the greatest barriers to growth. For every 100,000 homes built per year, £17.7bn in direct GDP growth would be added to the economy. Giving families a better choice over childcare could provide an additional £28.4bn per annum. Intergenerational fairness is not just about creating a fairer economy, it’s beneficial for voters of every age.

If the party hopes to win the next election and those of the 2030s, we must focus relentlessly on improving the lives of generations at the thin end of the wedge. The answers to these generational challenges are Conservative ones, but the parliamentary party must be bold enough to embrace them.

Next Gen Tories exists to encourage the Conservative party to grasp a greater sense of urgency. It is not too late to address the generational divide, but the earlier the party focuses on these priorities the better it’s chances of winning both the next election and those to come. Join our campaign, and together we can ensure the most successful political party in history can meet the challenges of tomorrow.