Young people support UK becoming a dictatorship as trust in democracy wanes, study finds

Over half of young people aged between 13 and 27 are in favour of the UK being ruled by a dictatorship, new research has revealed.

The ‘Gen Z: Trends, Truth and Trust’ report, conducted by Channel 4, found that 52% of surveyed Gen Z individuals believed the UK would be “a better place” with “a strong leader […] in charge who does not have to bother with parliament and elections”.

The study revealed a generational disenfranchisement with the Government, with a third (33%) of Gen Z individuals suggesting that it would be better if “the army was in charge” in Britain.

Nearly half of respondents (47%) also called for society to be “radically changed through revolution”.

This increasing appeal for political extremism among young people comes in the wake of the 2024 anti-immigration riots, which saw nearly 150 children arrested, some aged as young as 11.

[Gen Z] are media savvy, switched on and smart, but have been exposed to the full force of the polarising, confusing and sometimes wilfully misleading nature of social media since they were born

Alex Mahon, Chief Executive of Channel 4

Alex Mahon, Chief Executive of Channel 4, said that the data emphasises that Gen Z is the country’s most ‘authoritarian and liberal generation’, a contradiction shaped by social media use and digital literacy.

She added: “[Gen Z] are media savvy, switched on and smart, but have been exposed to the full force of the polarising, confusing and sometimes wilfully misleading nature of social media since they were born.”

While liberal thinking was once a pioneering aspect of British culture, commentators have now suggested that members of Gen Z are threatened by a so-called ‘woke’ culture, with 45% of male respondents to the survey arguing that women’s equality has “gone so far” that men now face discrimination.

The popularity of such beliefs is driven by the increasing influence of male influencers – 42% of male respondents revealed that they turn to influencers such as Jordan Peterson and Andrew Tate as their primary source of information.

These influencers have been accused of framing women and immigrants as the root of social decline, offering a future of wealth and success for those who follow their narrative of division and blame.

One male respondent to the survey said that “wokeness” should not mean clamping down on free speech, adding: “Everyone should have the right to express themselves, as long as it’s not hate speech. That’s why a lot of young men are confused. That’s the pipeline into the far right.”

Reform UK has gained traction amongst young men in particular, securing the ‘bro-vote’ with male voters regarding Farage as a ‘political hero’

Faced with uncertainty about trusting traditional or alternative media, many young people are turning to parties like Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, as an appealing alternative to combat Britain’s woes.

Positioning itself as a brand based upon strong leadership, radical policy, and unflinching traditional values, Reform UK has gained traction amongst young men in particular, securing the ‘bro-vote’ with male voters regarding Farage as a “political hero”.

The disempowered political status of young people in the UK is arguably still ignored by many older Brits, with journalist Marina Hyde arguing that there is still a “reflexive tendency” for older generations to ridicule Gen Z and ignore their political disenfranchisement.

While the challenge now lies in addressing Gen Z’s frustrations, it is clear that the Channel 4 investigation has identified a generation at a crossroad, uncertain how Britain’s political landscape will pan out.