The British Youth Council is launching ‘Our Parliament, Our Vision’, a manifesto which outlines our vision for the next UK Parliament. The manifesto sets out the four priorities that we want the next Parliament to address the issues of young people including climate change and mental health.
Young people want the next Parliament to do more to achieve the zero net emissions and tackle climate change, reduce the voting age to 16, put an end to poverty in our communities and recognise that our minds matter. The priorities were established through a process of consulting young people across the UK about the issues they cared about.
The British Youth Council has written to 17 political parties – including the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, SNP and Labour. Each party has been asked to respond with their thoughts on our top four issues. The youth-led charity is due to publish the responses ahead of polling day on Thursday 12th December 2019.
A spokesperson for the British Youth Council said: “Candidates across the UK, seeking to represent young people, including those that can’t vote, should listen to the issues that young people are passionate about and tell young people what they plan to do address their priorities”
The manifesto forms part of our wider General Election campaign calling on politicians to not just talk about young people but to listen to their concerns and do something about them. Following the General Election, the British Youth Council will be lobbying the Government and calling on politicians to keep their promises to young people.
Following the Government’s statement announcing its intention to host an early General Election, the British Youth Council has launched calls for each political party to address the concerns of young people.
The British Youth Council are keen to stress that young people care about their future and should have their issues discussed and addressed. The upcoming election has particular significance because the uncertainty of Brexit continues to loom. The youth-led charity has also made it clear young people should be provided reassurance over their futures in the coming months.
A spokesperson for the British Youth Council said: “Politicians have a duty to ensure young people’s concerns are not only listened to but addressed.
“Over the coming weeks, candidates for Member of Parliament will be canvassing their future constituents and it’s imperative that politicians make some direct pledges to young people that are kept and actioned.”
The latest developments have also sparked renewed demands for a lower voting age to be introduced. The British Youth Council has a longstanding belief that 16 and 17 year olds should not be held back from voting in any election or referendum. 1.5 million 16 and 17 year olds are set to miss out on visiting the ballot box again, despite the introduction of votes at 16 in Scotland and plans to introduce similar legislation in Wales.
Responding to calls for a lower voting age, the spokesperson went on to say: “It’s a real shame that 16 and 17 year olds are likely to miss out yet another General Election.
“It seems laughable that we still don’t have parity across the UK on this issue.”
We will be in contact with the Government and the Electoral Commission in the immediate future to discuss voter registration so we can ensure young people are engaged in this election. In previous elections, we have worked with sector partners to encourage young people to make their mark at polling stations.
Moving forward the British Youth Council will be urging young people to register to vote now to avoid missing out on having a crucial say in the next direction of the country.