EU referendum: In camp mocked for Ravin video
Attempt to woo under-30s branded 'patronising' while 5ive and Alesha Dixon pull out of pro-Brexit concert
Remain campaigners have been ridiculed for a "patronising" attempt to court young voters ahead of the EU referendum with a video championing "ravin" "roamin" and "chattin".
Set to loud house music, the Stronger In video features a montage of stereotypical youth activities, such as drinking wine, writing graffiti on walls and scrolling through a mobile phone.
Hashtags flash up representing the issues that Stronger In believes could sway the youth vote on Europe, such as "roamin", "shoppin" and "workin". [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_original","fid":"95310","attributes":{"class":"media-image"}}]]
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Although the clip contains no actual information about the debate, it does conclude that "Life's Better in the EU" and urges viewers to get "votin" for Vote In.
Younger people skew massively in favour of remaining in the bloc but tend to vote less than older members of the electorate, so turnout among the under-30s could be crucial in deciding the outcome.
However, Remain's latest stab at "getting down with the kids" was mocked on social media for being cringeworthy, patronising and - in the words of Tory MP and Brexiter James Cleverley – "so bad I thought it was a parody".
Education minister Sam Gyimah, who helped develop the new campaign, defended the ad and warned that young people could become the "lost generation" if Britain leaves the EU.
"Young people have the most at stake in this referendum and will live the longest with the consequences. #Votin is designed to speak to them, so their voice can be heard," he said.
The pro-Brexit camp's attempts to woo younger voters have also been far from smooth sailing. A concert funded by the Leave.EU group, scheduled to take place in Birmingham four days before the 23 June referendum, is in disarray after major acts withdrew from the line-up.
Nostalgia boyband 5ive and pop singer Alesha Dixon have both cancelled their scheduled appearances at the event, which also includes East 17 and Sister Sledge.
Representatives for both acts said that they had been unaware the concert was "more a political rally", and had now decided not to perform.
5ive's management emphasised the 90s chart-toppers' neutrality on the EU referendum, adding: "Their allegiance is first and foremost to their fans."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Being more nuanced will not be easy for public health agencies'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Where did Democratic voters go?
Voter turnout dropped sharply for Democrats in 2024
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
4 tips to save as health care costs rise
The Explainer Co-pays, prescription medications and unexpected medical bills can really add up
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
The potential impact of Trump tariffs for the UK
The Explainer UK goods exports to the US could be hit with tariffs of up to 20% seriously affecting the British economy
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Britain about to 'boil over'?
Today's Big Question A message shared across far-right groups listed more than 30 potential targets for violence in the UK today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
UK's Starmer slams 'far-right thuggery' at riots
Speed Read The anti-immigrant violence was spurred by false rumors that the suspect in the Southport knife attack was an immigrant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The Tamils stranded on 'secretive' British island in Indian Ocean
Under the Radar Migrants 'unlawfully detained' since 2021 shipwreck on UK-controlled Diego Garcia, site of important US military base
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Britain's Labour Party wins in a landslide
Speed Read The Conservatives were unseated after 14 years of rule
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published