Labour has chance to shape the future of youth policy

Not long ago, the similarly "unelectable" Alexis Tsipras rallied sufficient support for his Syriza Party in Greece to form a government. Admittedly, in power, he was forced to renege on many of his promises. He capitulated to the Troika overseeing the Greek debt crisis, in return for a third bailout and keeping Greece within the Eurozone. But he was returned to power when he called a further snap election this month, continuing to assert that he will continue to challenge inequality and work in the interests of the poor.

Both leaders were propelled to their positions on platforms of anti-austerity, social justice and equal opportunities. Tsipras was portrayed as a young upstart. Corbyn is usually described as an old rebel, but both have campaigned for similar principles and values. Corbyn may have been lambasted and praised in equal measure for the appointments to his shadow cabinet (for example, no women in the top jobs, but a majority of women overall), but of greatest significance for our field is the appointment of Gloria de Piero as shadow minister for young people and voter engagement.