There’s something remarkable happening across the Atlantic in the United Kingdom. The younger generation—specifically teenagers aged 16 and 17—are showing more pride in their country than their parents. In a time when global elites and left-wing leaders try hard to erase national identity and water down patriotism, it’s refreshing to see young people stand up and say, “I’m proud of my country.”
A recent survey by a group called More in Common found that nearly half of British teens in this age group are proud to be British. Only 10 percent said they were ashamed of their national identity. That’s a major contrast to their parents’ generation, where just 45 percent say they’re patriotic, and more adults feel some form of national shame. This kind of result sends a clear message: the younger generation is not buying into the tired globalist narrative that says loving your country is something to be embarrassed about.
This trend has caught many left-wing politicians off guard, especially the Labour Party, which recently gave 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote. They likely assumed that younger voters, influenced by modern education and digital activism, would lean far left. But that assumption might backfire. The same survey shows that these teens are not only patriotic, but they care deeply about national issues like border security and illegal immigration. In fact, 44 percent of them say the government isn’t doing enough to stop illegal boat crossings into the country. That’s nearly double the number who think the government is focusing on the issue too much.
It’s not just national pride that’s growing among these teens. Many of them are also showing signs of courage and responsibility. When asked if they would defend their country in case of war, 32 percent of boys said yes. That’s a notable figure in a generation often accused of being soft or unwilling to serve. Girls were less inclined to say yes, but even so, the numbers show a level of awareness and civic duty that many might not expect.
This wave of youth patriotism could be a game-changer in British politics. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which stands for strong borders, national pride, and traditional values, is gaining ground among these young voters. The left thought it could secure young votes by lowering the voting age, but now it faces a new challenge: these teens aren’t voting the way the left expected.
Reform UK has been smart about this. They’ve reached out to young people through social media, offering discounted memberships and speaking their language. And it’s working. Recent polls show Reform UK is nearly tied with the Labour Party among 16 and 17-year-olds. A new far-left party led by Jeremy Corbyn is also pulling votes away from Labour, splitting the left even further.
What we’re seeing in Britain is part of a larger shift. Young people, far from being the brainwashed foot soldiers of the radical left, are waking up. They’ve lived through political instability, a global pandemic, and inflation caused by failed government policies. They’ve seen what happens when national pride is replaced by globalist confusion. And they’re choosing to stand with their country.
This should be a lesson to all of us, including here in the United States. Patriotism is not dead. It’s just been waiting for a new generation to carry the torch. And if young people can be taught to love their country, defend its borders, and honor its founding principles, then there is real hope for the future.
Whether in Britain or in America, the path forward is clear: respect the Constitution, guard national sovereignty, and trust that the spirit of liberty still lives in the hearts of the next generation. The kids are, indeed, all right.
