Blogs and news about lowering the voting age to 16.
Everyone is talking about young people
Everyone’s talking about young people. Most of it is bad news. Young people are, depending on the source, too nice for our own good, morally immature, useless, or informed and powerful. Turns out you can make young people suit your story pretty easily. For the UK’s young people, when you look at statistics, our lot
- Published in Blogs, Votes at 16
NEW AGE FOR DEMOCRACY: 16 year olds to vote in Welsh Assembly elections
Assembly Members in Wales have granted 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote in Welsh Assembly elections and Welsh local council elections. The British Youth Council and Votes at 16 Coalition are celebrating the historical moment as a landmark in the campaign for Votes at 16 but call on the political parties in
- Published in News, Votes at 16
1.5 million young people denied a vote in the EU Elections
The British Youth Council have expressed their dissatisfaction with the Government’s continued opposition to a lower voting age. The unplanned EU Elections which take place on Thursday 23rd May will see 1.5 million young people aged 16 and 17 denied the opportunity to vote. Over the past 16 years, the youth-led charity has been campaigning
- Published in News, Votes at 16
50 years after votes at 18, we’re ready for votes at 16
On the 50th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act receiving Royal Assent, The British Youth Council, UK Youth Parliament and Votes at 16 Coalition call on the Government to lower the voting age to 16 in all elections and referenda taking place in the UK. The renewed calls comes following repeated attempts to
- Published in News, Press, Votes at 16
UK Youth Parliament to campaign on knife crime and votes at 16
UK Youth Parliament has chosen to focus on lowering the voting age to 16 and knife crime in 2019. The decision came following the UK Youth Parliament’s tenth House of Commons debate which was chaired by the Speaker, Rt Hon John Bercow MP. Knife crime was declared a top concern in the UK Youth Parliament’s
- Published in News, Press, Votes at 16
British Youth Council support renewed attempt to introduce lower voting age
The British Youth Council and Votes at 16 Coalition have joined forces with the FairVote Campaign to support the renewed attempt to introduce a lowering vote age. The latest attempt to introduce voting for 16 and 17 year olds has been spearheaded by Peter Kyle MP who is championing the Representation of the People Bill.
- Published in APPG on Votes at 16, News, Press, Votes at 16
British Youth Council call on Government to enfranchise 16 and 17 year olds
The British Youth Council and Votes at 16 Coalition are calling on the UK Government to make immediate changes to the legislation preventing 16 and 17 year olds the opportunity to vote in elections. The call comes ahead of the local elections which are taking place in England on Thursday 3rd May 2018. Thousands of 16
- Published in APPG on Votes at 16, News, Press, Votes at 16
MPs launch new APPG on Votes at 16
Following recent publicity on the votes at 16 issue MPs have established an All-Party Parliamentary Group to help develop the case for lowering the voting age. The APPG comprises of MPs from across the political spectrum, who will meet to hear evidence from young people, youth organisations and other experts, and use this knowledge to
- Published in APPG on Votes at 16, News, Votes at 16
PROGRESS: A new age for democracy approaching
The British Youth Council and Votes at 16 Coalition welcome growing support from within the Conservative Party for the enfranchisement of 16 and 17 year olds. With former front bench Minsters Nicky Morgan MP and Justine Greening MP joining votes at 16 supporter, Sir Peter Bottomley MP, it is clear the tide is turning. Support
- Published in APPG on Votes at 16, News, Press, Votes at 16
A disappointing day for democracy
Today’s debate in the House of Commons on Votes at 16 was a disappointment for young people across the UK. The debate was preceded by a fantastic bill from Steve Reed MP on the use of restraint in mental health facilities. It was fantastic to hear such a great discussion on mental health, and particularly
- Published in Blogs, Votes at 16