BYC is part of the Votes at 16 coalition. This is a national coalition of major leading youth organisations in the UK who want votes at 16.

Why we want Votes at 16.

Young people should have the right to representation:

At 16 and 17 you can leave home, pay income tax and National Insurance, receive benefits, drive a car or motorbike and even have a baby. Yet you can't vote for the elected representatives whose decisions can affect all these responsibilities you may hold. We want the choice to use our voice and vote.

Young people have the knowledge and information to vote:

Citizenship education is now integrated into the National Curriculum for all 11 to 16 year olds. This means 16 year olds are now more informed about politics than ever before, plus have so much more info at hand on the internet and TV. Yet 16 and 17 year olds are still denied the right to put this knowledge to practical use and vote.

Young people are passionate about political issues:

Young people may sometimes feel disengaged from politicians but we still care passionately about political issues. Just ask us about climate change or the war in Iraq! We have varied, diverse and strong opinions and deserve the right at 16 to use the ballot box to have these views represented.

Get active...

Take part in Old Enough to Make a Mark

The Youth Citizenship Commission is a body set up to examine ways of developing young peoples' understanding of citizenship and increase their participation in politics. One part of their work is to consider the issue of lowering the voting age to 16 through their Old Enough to Make a Mark consultation. They will feedback the evidence they gather to the Goverment.

From 20 October 2008 to 20 January 2009 this important chance to have your say on whether the voting age should be lowered to 16 is open.

Get involved by answering the short questionnaire on Votes at 16 or taking part in their online forum on this hot topic. It's easy and quick to have your say on Votes at 16.

For more information visit www.ycc.uk.net

Tell the Prime Minister what you think

Tell the PM what you think online - go directly to the PM's website and add your signature to the online petition for Votes at 16. The deadline to sign up is 29 January 2009 so be quick!

If you feel strongly about this issue and would like to get involved why not look at the volunteering options BYC offers. We have different ways for you to get active according to how much time you have and how you want to spread the word.

For more information on the Votes at 16 campaign please drop us an email.