A third of young adults said they would back an authoritarian system if leaders could take decisions more quickly, a new poll has said, in signs new voters believe the UK’s social contract is breaking down and belief in the principles of democracy are fading.

In fresh research led by Adam Smith Insights, a sister group to the free market think tank, it was revealed that more Brits aged 18 to 30 have lost faith in politicians’ ability to deliver on improving people’s lives.

Its poll showed that 33 per cent of young adults said they would prefer an “authoritarian system” led by someone able to make quicker decisions at the “cost of some democratic freedoms”.

A third of young adults said they would back an authoritarian system if leaders could take decisions more quickly, a new poll has said, in signs new voters believe the UK’s social contract is breaking down and belief in the principles of democracy are fading.

In fresh research led by Adam Smith Insights, a sister group to the free market think tank, it was revealed that more Brits aged 18 to 30 have lost faith in politicians’ ability to deliver on improving people’s lives.

Its poll showed that 33 per cent of young adults said they would prefer an “authoritarian system” led by someone able to make quicker decisions at the “cost of some democratic freedoms”.