We empower young people across the UK to have a say and be heard
020 4529 5927
Email: info@byc.org.uk
British Youth Council
Unit N201A Vox Studios, 1-45 Durham Street, Vauxhall, London, SE11 5JH
New Era for Democracy: A Pathway to Votes at 16
Find out what we need from decision makers.
Let's show the extent of support
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October 9, 2023 By Aavani Kaur Randhawa in Blogs, Votes at 16, Voting
Young people should be trusted with the vote at 16 – here’s why
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October 2, 2023 By Ella Kearley in Blogs, Votes at 16, Voting
Local elections in May required Voter ID: Was it worth it?
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August 3, 2023 By Adele Leung in Blogs, Votes at 16
Youth leaders speak at conference on the future of education
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July 12, 2023 By Blessing Oppong Hachem in Blogs, Votes at 16
Reflections from the Votes at 16 Youth Action Group Residential: Liverpool 2023
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June 8, 2023 By Oliver Probert-Hill in Blogs, Votes at 16, Voting
The 2023 local elections left young people behind. It’s time for things to change
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April 26, 2023 By Rhammel Afflick in News, Press, Votes at 16, Voting
Over three quarters of young Brits demand equal voting rights across the UK
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February 24, 2023 By Rhammel Afflick in APPG on Votes at 16, News, Press, Votes at 16, Voting
Young people want better political education, votes at 16 and relaxed voter ID rules to improve political engagement
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February 23, 2023 By Izzy Taylor in Votes at 16
Votes at 16 Youth Action Group
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November 28, 2022 By Izzy Taylor in Votes at 16
Take our Votes at 16 Survey and help us create our new Manifesto
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October 10, 2022 By Osaro Otobo in Blogs, Votes at 16
Reflecting on Party Conferences 2022
THIS CAMPAIGN IS SUPPORTED BY:
Enable 16 and 17 year olds to influence key decisions that affect their lives.
Bring equality between 16 and 17 year-olds who can vote in Scotland and Wales, and those in England and Northern Ireland who cannot.
As the national youth council of the UK, the British Youth Council has coordinated the Votes at 16 Coalition and campaigned on the issue for over 20 years. Our values are centred on being youth-led, empowering the voices of young people in society, and ensuring that no young person is disadvantaged in any way.
We are also the Secretariat for the APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) on Votes at 16. Through the APPG, we work with MPs across the political spectrum on winning Votes at 16 through Parliament.
In 2021, we received a grant through the UK Democracy Fund, coordinated by the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust, to work with young people across 15 constituencies and build up campaigning capacity on Votes at 16.
A dynamic group of 30 young people who will lead and champion the Votes at 16 campaign in 15 targeted constituencies across the UK. Their three main objectives include; leading and informing important information about the campaign, engaging with fellow young people and decision makers and building support and encouraging the members of the public to get involved.
Meet the Votes at 16 Youth Action Group
Why Votes at 16?
With 16 and 17 year olds being able to vote in Welsh and Scottish devolved and local elections, and support from the Northern Ireland Assembly and across the British public, the case for Votes at 16 has never been stronger. In fact, there is now inequality across the UK on the basis of voting age.
Who supports Votes at 16?
The Labour Party, the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru, the Green Party, the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland and Sinn Féin all support voting at 16 for all elections. The Conservative Party does not, however the “Father of the House” Sir Peter Bottomley, as well as other senior figures in the party do support the measure.
What are we asking for?
The Votes at 16 campaign is asking for equal voting rights across the whole of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland for all 16 and 17 year olds. See below to learn how current research supports this as a way to strengthen our democracy.
OFFICE ADDRESS
The Votes at 16 Coalition
Unit N201A Vox Studios,
1-45 Durham Street,
Vauxhall,
London SE11 5JH
PHONE NUMBER
020 4529 5927
EMAIL ADDRESS
votesat16@byc.org.uk