Two men aiming to be the UK’s first Gen Z MPs
Two men aiming to become the UK’s first Generation Z MPs have been selected as candidates for the next general election.
Greenwich Liberal Democrats have selected Ulysse Abbate, 22, Chris Annous, 24, to be candidates for the constituencies of Greenwich and Woolwich and Eltham at the next election for a UK Government, likely to be in the autumn of next year.
If elected, both could become the first Generation Z members of Parliament. Generation Z is typically thought to be people born between 1996 and 2010.
Mr Annous, elected as candidate for Greenwich and Woolwich, said: “Young people are passionate about tackling the big challenges we face, whether that be the housing crisis, rising intolerance and discrimination, or climate change.
“Unfortunately our views are too frequently overlooked by politicians, worsening disillusionment.
“I want to be the change I know young people want to see.”
Born and raised in Greenwich, Mr Annous was the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Candidate for the Greenwich and Lewisham constituency in May 2021, making him the youngest candidate in that year’s Greater London Authority elections.
Mr Annous says he is a committed anti-racism campaigner, and as London Assembly candidate he was vocal in calling for reform of the Met to tackle discrimination and for the cancellation of the Silvertown tunnel in Greenwich.
The Lib Dems candidate for Eltham, Mr Abbate is currently completing a Master’s degree at the London School of Economics.
Born and raised in Eltham, he says he is an active volunteer in his local community. He volunteers his time to support local food banks, protect the local environment and has worked to support local refugees through the Greenwich Sanctuary Project.
Mr Abbate is also part of the Lib Dems’ delegation to the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Europe, where he works with sister parties in Europe.
Mr Abbate said: “As someone who lives and grew up in Eltham, I want to give back to my local community.”
Pictured top: From left, Chris Annous and Ulysse Abbate (Picture: Aidan Williams, London School of Economics)