INTERVIEW: The Manchester student behind Hot Politics aims to make politics more accessible

There is a recurring complaint about politics: that it is designed to exclude. The language is obscure, and the pathway into it is not at all transparent. The assumption seems to be that ordinary people will either keep up or switch off. Grace Jackson decided to do something about it. 

A member of the Manchester Green Party communications team, Grace launched the Hot Politics UK Instagram page during the build-up to the Gorton and Denton by-election. It was the first time the Greens stood as genuine frontrunners against Reform. What started as a way to channel her campaign energy quickly grew into something larger: an accessible, light-touch platform aimed at young people who want to care about politics but find the front door firmly closed. 

I sat down with Grace to talk momentum, community, and why local elections matter more than most people think. 

What was the thinking behind Hot Politics UK? 

Grace explains that the genesis was frustration as much as anything else. "I've been interested in politics for a long time, but it always felt quite inaccessible for young people," she says. The by-election gave her focus — and a sense that something was shifting. 

"The problem with politics is that you want to get into it, you want to learn about policy, but then you have to read through a hundred-page document written in language set up for us not to understand."

Rather than replicating the formal tone of party communications, Grace wanted to create something that felt more like a conversation. "I wanted it to be light-hearted and easy to understand. It's about allowing young people to make an informed decision for themselves — not telling them who to vote for, but giving them the information they might need."

What has the response been? 

The by-election win changed things quickly. Collaborations followed with figures including Zack Polanski, Rachel Millward, and Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali — the kind of access that most independent accounts would not expect. 

"I was super excited — like, what the hell is happening. It made me realise this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Let's build that momentum and keep going." 

Grace is measured about what the spike means, though. "The Gorton and Denton by-election helped, but I don't see why it should stop there." The account continues to grow, even as she balances it against a dissertation deadline. 

Why are young people drawn to the Greens right now? 

The answer, for Grace, is straightforward. "The world is going a bit crazy and we need someone to stand up for young people, for young queer people, and for minorities. It's getting really scary, and I think the Greens are an option a lot of people didn't seriously consider before." 

The party is also actively working to bring younger members in. A programme called 30 Under 30, launching at the start of May, is offering a funded three-day residential for young people to learn about involvement in the party. "The Greens want young people to be represented. They want young people to have a voice," Grace says. 

Does social media actually work as a campaigning tool? 

Grace is convinced it does, but not as a replacement for the old approaches. "Door knocking, leafleting, face-to-face contact, that still matters enormously. But we shouldn't shy away from social media because it's powerful and it reaches people who weren't always interested in politics." 

"When I'm scrolling through my feed, I want to see things that inspire me. I want to be part of that." 

For Grace, the goal is not clicks but momentum: "Maybe we can inspire some more people to get involved with local communities and local politics." 

What should people be paying attention to right now? 

The May local elections, she says, without hesitation. Councillors across the UK are up for election, and Grace is clear-eyed about the stakes. "We have more Green councillors than Reform right now, but if we don't step up, Reform could take a lot of seats. That's worrying for local politics, and it's the small things that really impact our lives that will change." 

The ask is as practical as the platform she has built: "If anyone can get out there and leaflet or door knock, do it. Or make informative graphics on Canva. Anyone can do that." 

Follow Grace's work at @HotPoliticsUK. For information about local Green Party groups and how to get involved in May's local elections, visit the Manchester Green Party website.