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John Smith Centre
@johnsmithcentre.com
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We empower diverse voices across the UK to engage in politics.
Everyone benefits from a representative democracy.

Director: Eddie Barnes
🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com
📍 University of Glasgow
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John Smith Centre @johnsmithcentre.com · Mar 31
🚨 The UK Youth Poll 2025 is here! 🚨

Young people believe in democracy but fear for its future. They want better politics & financial stability.

📊 Read the #UKYouthPoll2025 now: www.ukyouthpoll.com

@focaldata.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social #Nationwide
johnsmithcentre.com
❗ ICYMI: free tickets for our event with Kate Forbes MSP and @frasernelson.bsky.social are available now!

📅 2 February
🕰️ 6.30 - 8.00pm
📍 Bute Hall, University of Glasgow

Don't miss out – register below 👇
Surviving Politics: Kate Forbes MSP and Fraser Nelson in Conversation
The John Smith Centre brings together two of our leading political figures to set out their contrasting thoughts on the road ahead.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 12:01 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
📢 New research blog!

Find out how our perceptions of "hard work v privilege" differ when we are looking at ourselves rather than others in Dr Joe Greenwood-Hau's recent piece for @uk.theconversation.com ⚖️

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
OTHER PEOPLE'S BACKGROUNDS SHAPE THEIR SOCIAL POSITION, BUT I WORKED HARD FOR MINE – THE PARADOX IN HOW WE VIEW STATUS - John Smith Centre
The concept of “hard work v privilege”, and what either one says about someone’s social status, is an important one. Politicians regularly draw dividing lines between “hardworking families” and…
www.johnsmithcentre.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
Students on our new #UKYouthPoll course were treated to a guest lecture by @focaldata.bsky.social's James Kanagasooriam yesterday! 🤩

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social honours students can still join the course – sign up here 👇
www.johnsmithcentre.com/youth-poll/u...

@jameskanag.bsky.social
January 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
📢 Event launch!

Politicis in 2026 is moving at a bewildering pace. Join Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes MSP & Times columnist @frasernelson.bsky.social as they set out their contrasting views on the road ahead.

📅 2 Feb
📍 Bute Hall, @glasgow.ac.uk
🎟️ Sign up: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/surviving-...
A designed graphic with text reading: "LIVE. The John Smith Centre invites you to attend Surviving Politics: Kate Forbes MSP and Fraser Nelson in conversation. Hosted by Eddie Barnes, Director of the John Smith Centre. 02 February 2026, 6:30 - 8:00pm, Bute Hall, Gilbert Scott Building, University Avenue." The graphic also shows headshot-style photos of Kate and Fraser and the logos of the John Smith Centre and the University of Glasgow.
January 15, 2026 at 11:27 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
🚨 NEWS ALERT: Our Political Conversations programme is expanding!

In partnership with Dr Marie Macklin CBE, the centre will take S5 & S6 students from schools across the west of Scotland to the Scottish Parliament at the end of this month. 🌟

Read more: www.johnsmithcentre.com/news/politic...
A group of teenagers in school uniform with John Smith Centre Director Eddie Barnes, former MSP Alex Neil, Marie Macklin CBE and Jackson Carlaw MSP in the middle. All are standing in front of a large map of Kilmarnock hanging on a wall indoors.
January 14, 2026 at 12:00 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
We hear a lot about the shift of young men towards the political right - but what about young women? 🤔

🎙️ Listen to Dr Elli Loose on BBC Radio 4's 'Left Out' to find out what the #UKYouthPoll2025 tells us about young women's political views & priorities.

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social
Dr Elli Loose on the political views of young women in the UK - 'Left Out', BBC Radio 4
John Smith Centre Research & Engagement Manager Dr Elli Loose discusses what the UK Youth Poll 2025 tells us about young women's political views and priorities on 'Left Out' presented by Gaby…
www.youtube.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:00 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
We're so excited that our new #UKYouthPoll course is kicking off at @glasgow.ac.uk today! 🤩

There are a few spaces left on the course for @uofgsocsci.bsky.social honours students – find out more: 🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com/news/the-joh...

#UKYouthPoll2026 @focaldata.bsky.social
January 12, 2026 at 11:01 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
Happy New Year 2026! 🥳🎉

We have so much planned for this year - sign up to our newsletter to make sure you're the first to hear about it all!

www.johnsmithcentre.com/newsletter

Can't wait to spend this year with you 🙌
January 7, 2026 at 12:00 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
🎄✨ Merry Christmas from all of us at the John Smith Centre – and a few friends!

We’re officially closed from today and will reopen on 5 January.

Wishing you a joyful festive season filled with peace, happiness, and time with loved ones 🎅🌟
December 22, 2025 at 12:02 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
2025 has been a huge year for the John Smith Centre - thank you to everyone who has supported us! 🙏🎊

We look forward to giving even more young people the #OpportunityToServe in 2026 by continuing to break down barriers to public life. 💪

@eddiebarnes.bsky.social @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 12:02 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
We're delighted to have Allana Williams from @unistrathclyde.bsky.social on board as a Parliamentary Intern! 🎉

We'll be sharing more of our interns' journeys in the new year - follow us to see what they get up to on their placements 👀

#JohnSmithIntern @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
December 16, 2025 at 12:02 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
Next up in our Parliamentary Interns introduction series, please welcome Aaron Purba from @glasgow.ac.uk! 🙌

Find out more about the 2026 Parliamentary Internship Programme: 🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com/our-work/int...

#JohnSmithIntern @uofgsocsci.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 12:02 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
Today we’re kicking off our Christmas celebrations! 🎄

We spent the morning volunteering for Refuwegee and have enjoyed a festive meal with our team afterwards.

We are wishing all our supporters far and wide a wonderful festive season! 🌟

@eddiebarnes.bsky.social @niceonecombo.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
🌟 We're so excited to welcome our 2026 Parliamentary Interns on board - so we thought we'd let them introduce themselves!

First up is Anna-Mariia Brynchak from @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social 👋

Find out more about this year's programme: www.johnsmithcentre.com/news/introdu...

#JohnSmithIntern
December 10, 2025 at 11:01 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
We're delighted to officially introduce our 2026 Parliamentary Interns today! 🥳

Visit our website to find out about the inspiring young people who will be working with MSPs & MPs across Scotland in the new year: www.johnsmithcentre.com/news/introdu...

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
INTRODUCING OUR 2026 PARLIAMENTARY INTERNS - John Smith Centre
With 18 students taking part in our 2026 Parliamentary Internship Programme, we are thrilled to introduce the talented group of individuals making up our largest ever cohort of interns. For the first ...
www.johnsmithcentre.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:12 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
A great afternoon at St Peter the Apostle High School in Clydebank today talking politics with @amycallaghansnp.bsky.social and @pamgosalmsp.bsky.social.

So many smart questions from the students - Scotland's young people are keen to get involved - they're just looking for opportunities to do so.🌟
December 8, 2025 at 4:51 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
📢 ICYMI: Catch up with our latest research blog by Prof James Sloam to find out how engaging young people in the shaping of public policy can rejuvenate our democracy.

#GenZ @uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social @rhulpir.bsky.social
REJUVENATING DEMOCRACY AND IMPROVING PUBLIC POLICY THROUGH CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE: INTRODUCING THE CIVIC MENTORING MODEL - John Smith Centre
Young people have become increasingly disillusioned with British democracy, as illustrated by low levels of trust and political participation. This is especially the case for youth from less well-off…
www.johnsmithcentre.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:45 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
Today, we are welcoming all our new Parliamentary Internship Programme interns to their induction session! 🎉

We’re so excited to have them all in one room and can’t wait to see them in action.

Keep your eyes peeled next week for formal introductions… 🤩
December 3, 2025 at 2:46 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
📬 We've got loads of exciting stuff planned for 2026 – sign up to our monthly newsletter so you don't miss out!

Join here:🔗 johnsmithcentre-20113860.hs-sites.com/enewsletter

#JohnSmithCentre @uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
A designed graphic showing a photo of a laptop with the John Smith Centre's July newsletter displayed on the screen. Text reads: "Sign up to our newsletter. Events, Development Programmes, Research and more." The graphic also shows the John Smith Centre logo.
December 2, 2025 at 12:00 PM
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How can we tackle growing disillusionment with British democracy among young people? 🤔

Check out our latest blog by Prof James Sloam to find out how the civic mentoring model could be the answer 💡

🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com/news/researc...

#GenZ @uofgsocsci.bsky.social @rhulpir.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 12:02 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
“It feels like you’re constantly being punished and penalised just for being young.” 📉

Ahead of the government's 2025 Budget Statement tomorrow, Dr Elisabeth Loose reveals what the #UKYouthPoll2025 tells us about young people's financial priorities 💵

@uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
“IT FEELS LIKE YOU’RE CONSTANTLY BEING PUNISHED” – WHAT FINANCIAL DEMANDS DO YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE OF THE 2025 BUDGET? - John Smith Centre
By Dr Elisabeth Loose. Tomorrow, we will finally learn about the much-anticipated details of the government’s 2025 budget. In light of this, we have dug into our Youth Poll 2025 data to bring…
www.johnsmithcentre.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
📰 Great to see our recent polling of 16- to 17-year-olds get a mention in this op-ed on curriculum reform by the Attorney General Lord Hermer KC yesterday!

#GenZ @uofgsocsci.bsky.social @uofgsps.bsky.social
Teaching citizenship in primary will strengthen our democracy
The UK’s attorney general explains why he welcomes curriculum reform that will make citizenship education compulsory in primary schools
www.tes.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM
johnsmithcentre.com
👏👏👏
November 19, 2025 at 10:03 AM
johnsmithcentre.com
📢 New blog alert!

Our Director @eddiebarnes.bsky.social reflects on new research by @demos-uk.bsky.social which pushes back on the moral panic about young people – findings that mirror those in our own #UKYouthPoll2025 📊

Read now: 🔗 www.johnsmithcentre.com/news/listeni...
A designed graphic with text reading: "Opinion, November 2025. Listening to Gen Z. Eddie Barnes." The graphic also shows a headshot-style photo of Eddie and the John Smith Centre logo.
November 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM
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Over the last week, the Centre has been out in communities across Scotland: from Ullapool to the UofG campus, from schools to the SEC’s The Rest is Politics live show on Saturday night 💫

Thanks to @kirstymcneill.bsky.social, @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social, Annie Wells & @paulsweeney.bsky.social!
Kirsty McNeill MP and Eddie Barnes with the John Smith Centre 'Making Change Happen' masterclass series cohort. The group is standing at the front of a seminar room with three rows of benches and chairs in front of them. MSPs Annie Wells and Paul Sweeney and Eddie Barnes with John Paul Academy students. The group is standing in two rows in front of a large blue curtain. Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart sat on stage at the SEC during a live recording of 'The Rest is Politics' podcast. The large screen behind them is showing a photo of Alastair Campbell and Eddie Barnes sitting on high stools at the front of a lecture theatre with two John Smith Centre pull-up banners behind them. Dr Elli Loose, Sean McNamara and Lucie Beattie sat on chairs in front of a seated audience facing them. Professor Christopher Carman is standing beside them; all four are holding handheld microphones. There is an RSE pull-up banner and a projector screen showing text reading "Disordered truth in a democracy" behind them.
November 17, 2025 at 2:39 PM