It should come as little surprise that 55% of registered students intend to vote Labour in June’s general election. A survey by YouthSight and the Higher Education Policy Institute shows a sharp rise from 2015, where 43% of students said they voted Labour at the general election. Labour is also firmly ahead of the Conservatives with voters under 40, and all the indicators suggest that mobilising young people and students to vote would swing the election in Labour’s favour. So it is absolutely crucial that students turn out to make the difference.

The entire economy is being rigged to benefit the rich at the expense of the majority of working people and students. Many are being priced out of housing and opportunities, while the services we rely on suffer. It will come as little surprise that students consider the NHS, the post-Brexit deal and education the most important issues in this election.

These local elections make a national point: voting should be compulsory | Polly Toynbee Read more

Much of this new support for Labour may well rest on the leadership of the party. Of those polled, 69% said they “like” or “strongly like” Jeremy Corbyn. Clearly, his policies are cutting through, and why wouldn’t they? Labour is pledging significant investment in jobs and education. Free school meals for every child and a return of every lifeline the Conservatives and Lib Dems cut: maintenance grants, the education maintenance allowance, and the disabled students’ allowance. Labour is also the only party that is offering a serious commitment to job creation, so that students no longer have to graduate into an abyss of unemployment.

The party that founded our national health service now promises to protect it from cuts and privatisation. The number of students applying for nursing courses has fallen by 23% following the vicious cut to the NHS bursary, which Labour will reverse.

Labour is also the party which will defend the rights of migrants. Theresa May forcefully, and unlawfully, deported 48,000 international students: now we have a chance to send a message that our classmates are not to be cynically used as leverage in Brexit negotiations. Our universities face uncertainty, but Labour plans on welcoming, not threatening, international students.

Students are intending to vote in our own, and in society’s, best interest. There is just one problem – people aged between 18-24 are significantly less likely to vote, and many students will not be on campus come 8 June.

It’s no coincidence. It is not in the Tories’ interests for us to turn out and vote: which is why we must ensure that we do. In many cases, students’ votes could have more effect on campus, as university seats are more likely to be “swung”; so encouraging students to cast their vote in their place of study if they can, could really help.

The general election is not our first chance to send a message to the Tories, though: today is. All across the UK, there are elections for local councils and mayors. It may seem like small fry compared to June, but more and more power is being devolved to local authorities.

The new metro mayors will have millions in budgets for education and skills. This is a key opportunity to address the lack of quality apprenticeships, and the gaping hole in adult education funding – but only if we elect the people with the right priorities. They will have extensive powers over housing and transport. In the context of a cost of living crisis, our vote can send a message that something here has got to give.

As the new NUS president, I know how vital it is for students to vote | Shakira Martin Read more

Sections of society like to paint students as apathetic, but we know it is far from the truth. Students are more likely to be joining a party and engaging the political process than we have done in years. Today’s survey shows that 93% of students polled were registered, so there is already a huge vote to be cast.

So please – tell your friends. Post on social media. Put a poster up in halls, or flyer under every door if you can. Remind students that they can register at home, too; and, for the general election, if they are from a Commonwealth country, they are also eligible.

Use your vote today. You have until 10pm to visit your local polling station. If you haven’t yet, register for 8 June.

The Tories are banking on students not turning out; let’s not gift them another term.