Should convicted criminals have the right to vote? Should university tuition feesWhen students pay universities to study there. be scrapped? Should illegal asylum seekersPeople who have left their countries due to danger and are seeking refuge elsewhere. be sent to RwandaA country in the centre of Africa. At least 500,000 people were killed in the appalling genocide of 1994.? Should Britain send assassins after terrorists living overseas? Was Brexit the right or wrong idea?

Elections are not just about selecting a government. They are also opportunities to think about the sort of country you want to live in.

As the United Kingdom approaches its general election, candidates are setting out their stall. Leaders have clashed in TV debates. Social media is awash with campaign adverts. And parties are publishing manifestos outlining their plans for government.

A fifth of the British population is too young to vote.¹ But even if you cannot cast a ballot on 4 July, it is interesting to consider who you would choose if you could. 

The 13.4 million young people barred from the election will nevertheless live with its consequences for the rest of their lives.

Many experts think it is important to become politically engaged as soon as possible. As the Ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes wrote: "The foundation of every state is the education of its youth." Cambridge professor David Runciman has even argued that six year olds should be given the vote.

This election is a big moment for Britain, with potential global impact. It could end 14 years of ConservativeHolding traditional values, and in a political context, favouring policies such as private ownership. rule, during which time Britain has faced five prime ministers and left the European Union. Recent years have seen an unprecedented fall in living standards.²

Experts are currently predicting a super-majority for the Labour PartyThe main left-wing political party in the UK. . According to political consultancy Electoral Calculus, one possible outcome would see Labour snatch 472 seats and the Conservatives will plunge to 76.³ Pollsters YouGov put Labour on track for 422 seats: the highest number any party has won since 1924.⁴

Some forecast that these results will mean the death of the ToriesThe Tory Party was the former name of the Conservative Party. The phrase is still used to refer to Conservatives.  as we know them. Right-wingSometimes referred to as 'conservative', this is a range of political beliefs that emphasise the value of tradition, individual freedom and responsibility, low taxes and a hands-off approach to government. party Reform UKA right-wing populist party in the UK. It has support from Nigel Farage and used to be called the Brexit Party. is poised to take between 11% and 17% of votes. Its leader Nigel Farage aims for a "reverse takeover" of the Tories.⁵

Drama is expected on all levels. The reinvigorated Liberal DemocratsAlso known as the Lib Dems, a liberal political party in the UK. , who only won 11 seats in 2019, might end up with 48. And the scandal-dogged Scottish National PartyA political party founded in 1934 that wishes to ultimately make Scotland independent. It is the largest party in Scotland. is predicted to shrink from 48 to 17.

It is also the biggest election in Britain's history. A record 4,515 candidates are standing for election across Britain's 650 constituenciesGeographical areas for which voters choose one politician to represent them. . This is a 35.7% increase on the last election. They represent 102 different parties, with 459 candidates standing as independents.

There are many wild cards. One is tactical voting. In recent by-elections, voters unified behind whichever party could defeat the Tories.⁶ It will also be the first election where all British citizens living abroad have the right to vote.⁷

Whatever the result, it will be an election to remember. If the polls are right, Britain's political landscape will be altered enormously. If they are wrong, the shock will be greater still.

Who would you vote for?

Vote Conservative if... you think taxes should be kept down, more money should be spent on defence and that illegal migrants should be sent to Rwanda.

Vote Labour if... you would like stronger worker's rights, more funding for the NHS and a closer relationship with the EU.

Vote Liberal Democrat if... you want a faster route to net zero, proportional representationA voting system in which the winning party gets a proportion of parliamentary seats equal to its proportion of the vote. and non-binarySomeone who does not identify as a boy or a girl. rights.

Vote Green if... you believe that climate change should be our main concern and that society should be more equal.

Vote Reform UK if... you want a harder Brexit, harsh penalties on immigration and more fossil fuels.