YOUNG people will be the losers of the historic vote to leave the European Union.

The way in which different generations voted in this referendum is significant because of whom the result is likely to impact the most.

The final YouGov poll before the referendum showed that 72 per cent of young voters strongly backed Remain, compared to only 32 per cent of voters aged 65 and over.

Many young people will be directly affected by the result of the referendum, whether it’s to do with free movement, the economy, industry, democracy, human rights, equal opportunities or environmental issues.

There has been outcry from young people on social media as they have to live with the choice made by their elders.

Rikki Spence, 19, from Weymouth, said: “Our future has been stolen by people who won’t be able to feel the repercussions.

“It is a selfish act by a generation that has only felt the positive impacts of EU membership, workers’ rights and freedom of movement.

“It’s a day where I am ashamed to be British.”

Lily Bearwish, 19, from Portland and studying in Bristol, said: “I voted to remain because the risk was not worth taking.

“We now have no idea how this will shape the rest our lives and the future generations who had no choice in the matter.

“The uncertainty and potential economic downturn is really disconcerting.”

Many wish that, like Scotland in their independence referendum, the UK as a whole would trust its teens and support greater suffrage by lowering the voting age to 16.

Those who voted to leave, including 28 per cent of people under the age of 24, got what they voted for.

To everyone over the age of 30 who voted to remain in the EU, we thank you. You tried.

Overall, the fact that 72 per cent of young voters voted to remain and 16 and 17 year olds didn't have the opportunity to vote means that the result of the referendum was not a majority result for the people it will have the biggest impact on.