Blogs and news about lowering the voting age to 16.
“The teenagers of today will one day rule the world… they need our support now”
The teenagers of today will one day rule the world – and the older generation have a responsibility to them today by paving the way to help determine the future for us all be that in industry, business, politics or the community. Just a few short years ago, I was frustrated that only a very
- Published in Blogs, Votes at 16
British Youth Council back bid to introduce votes at 16
The British Youth Council and Votes at 16 Coalition are supporting a renewed attempt to lower the voting age across the UK. On Friday 3 November, Parliament will debate a Private Members’ Bill which is set to enable all 16 and 17 year olds a chance to vote in all UK elections and referenda. The bill
- Published in APPG on Votes at 16, News, Press, Votes at 16
Reflecting on the UK Youth Parliament’s Annual Sitting
On Friday 28th July 2017, members of the UK Youth Parliament gathered together at Liverpool Hope University for its Annual Sitting 2017. The event was a major success with over 250 Members of Youth Parliaments (MYPs) attending the programme. The Annual Sitting is a weekend that every MYP looks forward to, and they were not
- Published in Blogs, Votes at 16
No room for young people in the Queen’s Speech
Today we heard the Government’s legislative plan via the Queen’s Speech. There was some good news, some expected news, and a huge missed opportunity. The British Youth Council campaigned on six key issues in the run up to the General Election. These are the issues that young people have told us are important to them
- Published in Blogs, Series: General Election, Votes at 16
British Youth Council welcome new youth minister
The British Youth Council are excited to welcome the new minister responsible for youth policy, Tracey Crouch MP. Crouch is taking over the Office for Civil Society following the departure of Rob Wilson who has been in charge of the brief since 2014. The British Youth Council have worked under various Government departments since 2011
- Published in News, Press, Votes at 16
No more excuses: Young people must be heard
The British Youth Council are delighted to hear reports of a high youth turnout in the General Election. Politicians must drop their excuses and address young people’s concerns during this Parliament. Decision makers across the country have repeatedly told young people that their voices will continue to be less of a priority until they turnout
- Published in News, Press, Series: General Election, Votes at 16
If young people cared they would vote
I hear this so often from people, in regards to what many view as young people’s political disengagement. Not only is this stance is overly-simplistic and lacking in nuance, it’s fatalistic. It takes no accountability for encouraging further political engagement via traditional, more visible and measurable channels. If this argument were the case one would
- Published in Blogs, Series: General Election, Votes at 16
It’s time to listen to young people
As a fifteen-year-old, I campaigned in the Scottish Independence referendum but I could not vote. When I turned sixteen, I was trusted as a door-to-door canvasser for general election but was not seen mature enough to vote. At seventeen, the government successfully denied the voice of over 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds in the UK.
- Published in Blogs, Series: General Election, Votes at 16
Young people’s vision for a better country
The British Youth Council is launching ‘Our Vision, Our Parliament’, a manifesto which outlines our vision for the next Parliament. The manifesto sets out the six priorities that we want the next government to address the issues of young people including better mental health provision for young people and an opportunity for young people to
- Published in News, Press, Series: General Election, Votes at 16
It’s about time our democracy gives a voice to the voiceless
If you were to google ‘millennials are’, the words that come after are not inspiring; ‘lazy’, ‘stupid’ or ‘screwed’. This isn’t by chance, it’s part of a wider narrative. My generation – those who are currently under 25 – are constantly undervalued and undermined. We’re seen as selfish and entitled, bone-idle and boorish. Nothing could
- Published in Blogs, Series: General Election, Votes at 16