A recent report by the Higher Education Policy Institute indicates that students could have a significant impact on unseating dozens of Conservative MPs in the upcoming general election on 4 July. As thousands of students return home for the summer holidays, they have the opportunity to vote in either their term-time address or their parents’ constituency, potentially leading to 35 seats changing hands.
Despite the crucial student vote, both the ruling Conservative Party and the opposition Labour Party have shown limited support or engagement. The issue of Israel’s assault on Gaza has been particularly contentious on university campuses, with students like Abel from SOAS setting up a “Liberated Zone” to raise awareness and pressure the university to cut ties with Israel.
Encampments protesting the Gaza conflict have sprung up across the UK, sparking political activism among students. However, there is a sense of disillusionment with mainstream parties like Labour and the Conservatives for their handling of the crisis. Members of groups like Oxford Action for Palestine are divided on their voting choices, highlighting the shift towards parties with stronger pro-Palestine stances.
Despite facing challenges from authorities and administrations, student activists remain determined to continue their protests, aiming to draw attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and hold politicians accountable for their actions.