Blogs and news about lowering the voting age to 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

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

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

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

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“Our young adults are ready to take the reins, to have a say in a future… dominated not by us but by them.”

At sixteen, individuals can get married, pay their taxes and sign up to risk their lives in our armed forces, but they cannot exercise their basic democrat right to vote. Isn’t it time that we follow in Scotland’s footsteps and introduce a lowered voting age of sixteen? I and the Lib Dems think yes and

“There’s a clear appetite in young people to be involved in the democratic process”

We’ve been talking about possibly lowering the voting age for a long time without much change, and I think this Bill (Representation of the People (Young People’s Enfranchisement and Education) Bill 2017-19) is the perfect opportunity for our democracy to make a great stride forward. As we know, you currently have to be 18 or

“What we need is a country that wholeheartedly supports and listens to young people”

On your 16th birthday you are legally deemed ‘mature enough’ to be able to undertake a multitude of responsibilities; these include joining the armed forces, paying taxes, changing your name, having sex or even getting married. This list goes on. Importantly, young people don’t just care about youth issues. There is a perception that young

The best way for young people to learn about politics is to get involved

UpRising is a UK-wide youth leadership development charity. Our mission is to open up pathways to and employment for a diverse pool of young adults from under-represented backgrounds who have talent, but lack opportunity. In 2017, Demos published a report stating that only 37% of young adults in the UK feel that British politics reflects

“By introducing votes at 16 we could reverse the trend for lower and lower turnout levels”

One of the most effective pillars of our successful 2017 General Election campaign in Ipswich was our targeted and school-specific information on the real-terms cuts to school income proposed in the Tories’ so-called “Fair Funding” proposals. But while I gained a great deal from standing with Labour campaigners outside many of the Primary Schools in

“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