Despite what they say, the Tories are still in hock to their greying base

During the Conservative Party’s annual conference in Birmingham, the atmosphere exuded optimism, despite the party’s recent electoral setbacks. Young attendees, who often start voting Tory at the age of 63, were noticeable but not surprising. The conference served as a Woodstock for the party’s youthful constituents, who wore Tory blue attire.

However, the party's adherence to policies that have negatively impacted young people for a decade remains puzzling. Anaemic growth, high taxation, welfarism, regionalism, and unprecedented migration all contributed to young people's discontent. The Conservatives' policies heavily contributed to this generational divide, with young people entering a "perverse social contract" where they work hard their entire lives only to struggle to afford homes and witness their taxes go towards welfare benefits for others.

In addressing her audience, the party’s policy lead, Louise Badenoch, promised to abolish inheritance tax on family homes if the Conservatives were elected. This proposal was well-received, as the death tax is widely reviled in Britain. Additionally, Badenoch had previously announced the abolition of stamp duty, a tax that heavily burdens young people buying their first homes and stifles the housing market. While these policy changes are welcome, the Conservatives still appear beholden to their older base.

The party's focus on appealing to older voters overlooks the fact that recent announcements suggest they remain in hock to their greying constituents. While Labour's triple lock pension policy is being reformulated, the Conservatives should acknowledge that the triple lock is unsustainable and that young people should not have to fund an ageing population's welfare.

As attendees entered the conference hall, they were greeted with a poster criticizing the government for altering winter fuel payments, highlighting the party's disingenuous approach to addressing the needs of younger generations.