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Let’s be real: a lot of young people—especially students—feel pretty disillusioned with politics right now.
Why bother voting when it seems like none of the parties have your back, and promises get broken every election?
If that sounds like you, you need this.
Whether you’re already a student or about to become one, the support you get (or don’t get) from the state will shape your future in a massive way.
Back in the day, some of us had student grants that helped make uni affordable.
Today, many students are buried in loans that seem to climb higher every year, and the cost of living hasn’t become any easier.
This isn’t just about fees—it’s about mental health services, housing, job opportunities, and the basic chance to build a life after graduation.
Voting isn’t a magic fix, but it is your best tool to influence which party shapes that future.
So let’s cut through the noise, check what parties really say and do about students, and figure out who might actually be on your side.
Welcome to Ballot Box Bingo!
What students actually care about
Before we dive in, here’s what surveys and student voices tell us matters most:
-
Tuition fees & student debt: Are fees rising? Are they too high already? Are there plans to cut or freeze them? How much debt will you face?
-
Cost of living & housing: Can you afford rent? What help is there for accommodation costs?
-
Mental health: Support services on campus and NHS access.
-
Education quality & apprenticeships: Are universities and colleges well-funded? Are alternatives like apprenticeships supported?
-
Job prospects: Graduates want jobs, not just degrees.
-
Welfare & benefits: Are students eligible for support? How generous is it?
The parties: what they say, what they do
Conservatives
What they say: The Tories love telling students they’re investing in skills and apprenticeships. They promise “responsible” management of student finance and say tuition fees are necessary to fund quality education.
What they do: Since 2010, tuition fees have tripled under Conservative-led governments — from £3,000 to £9,250 a year.
Grants were scrapped, replaced with loans, pushing many students deep into debt.
Housing support for students has also been limited, and while apprenticeships have been a focus, critics say quality and funding remain patchy.
Mental health support funding has increased, but many students say it’s not enough to meet demand.
Ballot Box Bingo insight: If you’re hoping for lower fees or less debt, the Conservatives won’t deliver. And if you’re into apprenticeships, you probably won’t get what you’re hoping for.
Labour (current government)
What they say: Labour pledged to make higher education more affordable, restore maintenance grants, and expand mental health services for students.
What they’re doing: In their first year, they’ve introduced partial maintenance grant restoration for the lowest-income students, but tuition fees remain in place.
Debt repayment thresholds have been adjusted slightly, but the loan system still leaves many facing decades of repayments.
Mental health funding has been increased, though demand continues to outstrip supply.
Ballot Box Bingo insight: Promises of affordability have seen some progress, but the big-ticket change — scrapping fees — hasn’t materialised. If you’re looking for major reform, you might be waiting a long time.
Liberal Democrats
What they say: The Lib Dems famously pledged to abolish tuition fees in 2010. They also promote increased funding for mental health and support for apprenticeships.
What they do: Remember the coalition government (2010-2015)? Tuition fees rose from £3,000 to £9,000 under their watch — a bitter pill for many students.
Since then, they’ve tried to rebuild trust with promises to cap fees and increase grants, but scepticism remains.
Ballot Box Bingo insight: Great intentions, a messy track record. If you believe in giving second chances, they might be worth a look — but can you really afford to make a mistake?
Green Party
What they say: The Greens advocate scrapping tuition fees and providing free education. They also prioritise mental health funding and affordable housing.
What they do: As a smaller party with no government experience, they mostly focus on campaigning for these issues and influencing debates.
Their environmental policies are strong, but their student-specific impact is largely aspirational.
Ballot Box Bingo insight: If you want education free from fees and a party with strong social justice roots, the Greens have your back — but they seem a long way from office.
‘Your Party’
What they say: In July 2025, Zarah Sultana announced she was quitting Labour to form a new party with Jeremy Corbyn, accusing the government of failing ordinary people and describing Westminster as “broken.”
Their platform prioritises socialism over austerity, calling for wealth redistribution, nationalisation of utilities, free provision of services like childcare and transport, and an end of arms sales to Israel.
What they’re doing: They set up a website—informally named Your Party—and within days garnered hundreds of thousands of sign-ups, with more than 700,000 subscribers by early August, along with support from dozens of councillors across regions including Wales and Scotland.
The party is staging its inaugural conference in autumn 2025 to determine its official name and policies.
Ballot Box Bingo insight: If you’re disillusioned with Labour’s direction and want a bold alternative rooted in left-wing values—anti-austerity, pro-social services, and anti-war—this is the option designed to shake things up.
Just bear in mind it’s brand-new, untested in elections, and still defining itself.
Plaid Cymru (Wales)
What they say: Plaid wants to scrap tuition fees in Wales (they already are scrapped for Welsh students studying in Wales), improve student housing, and boost mental health funding.
What they do: In the Welsh Government, Plaid has worked with Labour to maintain free tuition for Welsh students studying in Wales. Welsh students studying elsewhere in the UK still face fees.
Housing remains a concern, with ongoing campaigns for affordable student accommodation.
Ballot Box Bingo insight: Plaid’s got Welsh students’ backs — but remember, it’s mostly for Wales-based education.
SNP (Scotland)
What they say: Scotland abolished tuition fees years ago for Scottish students. The SNP pushes for expanding student support and mental health services.
What they do: Tuition fees for Scottish students remain zero for study in Scotland. They also increased maintenance grants and support schemes but struggle with housing shortages and mental health service demand.
Ballot Box Bingo insight: If you’re a Scottish student studying in Scotland, SNP policies mean no tuition fees and decent support — though living costs are still a challenge.
Northern Irish Parties
Sinn Féin: Supports abolishing tuition fees and increasing funding for student support. Advocates mental health services expansion.
DUP: More conservative on spending, tends to prioritise traditional education funding but is less vocal on abolishing fees.
SDLP: Similar to Sinn Féin, pushes for free education and student welfare.
Alliance: Focuses on mental health funding and equitable access to education.
What they do: Northern Ireland currently has variable tuition fees; some students pay fees while others get support. Mental health services have improved but remain stretched. Political deadlock sometimes hampers policy progress.
Ballot Box Bingo insight: If you’re a student in NI, party choice can affect tuition fees and support access — so knowing where each stands matters, even if they’re not in UK-wide government.
Ballot Box Bingo: Student Priorities Scorecard
| Priority |
Conservatives |
Labour (Govt) |
Lib Dems |
Greens |
Your Party (Corbyn & Sultana) |
Plaid Cymru |
SNP |
Northern Irish Parties |
| Tuition Fees |
Fees remain high and debt-heavy |
Some grant restoration but fees remain |
Past raised fees, promises cap |
Free education promised |
Calls to scrap fees and free education |
Free in Wales |
Free in Scotland |
Mixed (varies by party) |
| Mental Health |
Increased funding but demand still high |
Increased funding but services stretched |
Promises boosts |
Strong focus |
Strong focus, pro-mental health funding |
Focused campaigns |
Ongoing challenges |
Variable progress |
| Housing Affordability |
Limited student help |
Promises support |
Mixed record |
Strong advocacy |
Strong push for affordable housing |
Active campaigns |
Ongoing challenge |
Limited progress |
| Job Prospects & Apprenticeships |
Market-driven approach |
Promises expansion |
Supportive |
Supportive |
Pro-social programs and job creation |
Supportive |
Supportive |
Mixed support |
| Welfare & Benefits |
Limited access |
Some expansions |
Mixed |
Strong support |
Strong welfare focus |
Supportive |
Supportive |
Variable access |
Final Thoughts
For students, no party is perfect — tuition fees, housing costs, and mental health support remain massive challenges across the board.
Conservatives offered very little over 14 years – apart from tripling fees with the Liberal Democrats, Labour promised big changes but hasn’t delivered, and smaller parties bring ambitious visions often untested in power.
Your vote matters. Hopefully, Ballot Box Bingo has helped you decide where to put your ‘X’.
Share this post:
Ballot Box Bingo: who wins your vote, STUDENTS?
Share this post:
Let’s be real: a lot of young people—especially students—feel pretty disillusioned with politics right now.
Why bother voting when it seems like none of the parties have your back, and promises get broken every election?
If that sounds like you, you need this.
Whether you’re already a student or about to become one, the support you get (or don’t get) from the state will shape your future in a massive way.
Back in the day, some of us had student grants that helped make uni affordable.
Today, many students are buried in loans that seem to climb higher every year, and the cost of living hasn’t become any easier.
This isn’t just about fees—it’s about mental health services, housing, job opportunities, and the basic chance to build a life after graduation.
Voting isn’t a magic fix, but it is your best tool to influence which party shapes that future.
So let’s cut through the noise, check what parties really say and do about students, and figure out who might actually be on your side.
Welcome to Ballot Box Bingo!
What students actually care about
Before we dive in, here’s what surveys and student voices tell us matters most:
Tuition fees & student debt: Are fees rising? Are they too high already? Are there plans to cut or freeze them? How much debt will you face?
Cost of living & housing: Can you afford rent? What help is there for accommodation costs?
Mental health: Support services on campus and NHS access.
Education quality & apprenticeships: Are universities and colleges well-funded? Are alternatives like apprenticeships supported?
Job prospects: Graduates want jobs, not just degrees.
Welfare & benefits: Are students eligible for support? How generous is it?
The parties: what they say, what they do
Conservatives
What they say: The Tories love telling students they’re investing in skills and apprenticeships. They promise “responsible” management of student finance and say tuition fees are necessary to fund quality education.
What they do: Since 2010, tuition fees have tripled under Conservative-led governments — from £3,000 to £9,250 a year.
Grants were scrapped, replaced with loans, pushing many students deep into debt.
Housing support for students has also been limited, and while apprenticeships have been a focus, critics say quality and funding remain patchy.
Mental health support funding has increased, but many students say it’s not enough to meet demand.
Ballot Box Bingo insight: If you’re hoping for lower fees or less debt, the Conservatives won’t deliver. And if you’re into apprenticeships, you probably won’t get what you’re hoping for.
Labour (current government)
What they say: Labour pledged to make higher education more affordable, restore maintenance grants, and expand mental health services for students.
What they’re doing: In their first year, they’ve introduced partial maintenance grant restoration for the lowest-income students, but tuition fees remain in place.
Debt repayment thresholds have been adjusted slightly, but the loan system still leaves many facing decades of repayments.
Mental health funding has been increased, though demand continues to outstrip supply.
Ballot Box Bingo insight: Promises of affordability have seen some progress, but the big-ticket change — scrapping fees — hasn’t materialised. If you’re looking for major reform, you might be waiting a long time.
Liberal Democrats
What they say: The Lib Dems famously pledged to abolish tuition fees in 2010. They also promote increased funding for mental health and support for apprenticeships.
What they do: Remember the coalition government (2010-2015)? Tuition fees rose from £3,000 to £9,000 under their watch — a bitter pill for many students.
Since then, they’ve tried to rebuild trust with promises to cap fees and increase grants, but scepticism remains.
Ballot Box Bingo insight: Great intentions, a messy track record. If you believe in giving second chances, they might be worth a look — but can you really afford to make a mistake?
Green Party
What they say: The Greens advocate scrapping tuition fees and providing free education. They also prioritise mental health funding and affordable housing.
What they do: As a smaller party with no government experience, they mostly focus on campaigning for these issues and influencing debates.
Their environmental policies are strong, but their student-specific impact is largely aspirational.
Ballot Box Bingo insight: If you want education free from fees and a party with strong social justice roots, the Greens have your back — but they seem a long way from office.
‘Your Party’
What they say: In July 2025, Zarah Sultana announced she was quitting Labour to form a new party with Jeremy Corbyn, accusing the government of failing ordinary people and describing Westminster as “broken.”
Their platform prioritises socialism over austerity, calling for wealth redistribution, nationalisation of utilities, free provision of services like childcare and transport, and an end of arms sales to Israel.
What they’re doing: They set up a website—informally named Your Party—and within days garnered hundreds of thousands of sign-ups, with more than 700,000 subscribers by early August, along with support from dozens of councillors across regions including Wales and Scotland.
The party is staging its inaugural conference in autumn 2025 to determine its official name and policies.
Ballot Box Bingo insight: If you’re disillusioned with Labour’s direction and want a bold alternative rooted in left-wing values—anti-austerity, pro-social services, and anti-war—this is the option designed to shake things up.
Just bear in mind it’s brand-new, untested in elections, and still defining itself.
Plaid Cymru (Wales)
What they say: Plaid wants to scrap tuition fees in Wales (they already are scrapped for Welsh students studying in Wales), improve student housing, and boost mental health funding.
What they do: In the Welsh Government, Plaid has worked with Labour to maintain free tuition for Welsh students studying in Wales. Welsh students studying elsewhere in the UK still face fees.
Housing remains a concern, with ongoing campaigns for affordable student accommodation.
Ballot Box Bingo insight: Plaid’s got Welsh students’ backs — but remember, it’s mostly for Wales-based education.
SNP (Scotland)
What they say: Scotland abolished tuition fees years ago for Scottish students. The SNP pushes for expanding student support and mental health services.
What they do: Tuition fees for Scottish students remain zero for study in Scotland. They also increased maintenance grants and support schemes but struggle with housing shortages and mental health service demand.
Ballot Box Bingo insight: If you’re a Scottish student studying in Scotland, SNP policies mean no tuition fees and decent support — though living costs are still a challenge.
Northern Irish Parties
Sinn Féin: Supports abolishing tuition fees and increasing funding for student support. Advocates mental health services expansion.
DUP: More conservative on spending, tends to prioritise traditional education funding but is less vocal on abolishing fees.
SDLP: Similar to Sinn Féin, pushes for free education and student welfare.
Alliance: Focuses on mental health funding and equitable access to education.
What they do: Northern Ireland currently has variable tuition fees; some students pay fees while others get support. Mental health services have improved but remain stretched. Political deadlock sometimes hampers policy progress.
Ballot Box Bingo insight: If you’re a student in NI, party choice can affect tuition fees and support access — so knowing where each stands matters, even if they’re not in UK-wide government.
Ballot Box Bingo: Student Priorities Scorecard
Final Thoughts
For students, no party is perfect — tuition fees, housing costs, and mental health support remain massive challenges across the board.
Conservatives offered very little over 14 years – apart from tripling fees with the Liberal Democrats, Labour promised big changes but hasn’t delivered, and smaller parties bring ambitious visions often untested in power.
Your vote matters. Hopefully, Ballot Box Bingo has helped you decide where to put your ‘X’.
Share this post:
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