Politics is on the nose for youngsters

Not sure about that, as it’s possible to have empathy with those for example, living in sub standard social housing or private rents, doing a very low paid job and bringing up children even when it isn’t your own lived experience.
I do agree tho that some time working after Uni is desirable.

An extended family member does want to enter politics, she is 18 and bright, however she is at uni having been to one of the most expensive exclusive boarding schools in the country (and has the accent to match)

What on earth! no-one should be allowed to enter politics until they have x years of real graft under their belts. People like her have no empathy with ordinary people, how could they when from a sheltered rich world?

I think it’s a bit of both nanna8 with SM there’s too much made often of trivial stuff, and there’s nowhere to hide now for political mess ups/ crimes/ peccadillos.
It’s an interesting thought that kids don’t want to be politically involved or to become politicians but….they’ll grow up.