My first European Youth Forum Council of Members meeting as a UK Young Ambassador
In October 2020, I was elected as a UK Young Ambassador and Representative of the British Youth Council at the European Youth Forum. Not quite the news I was expecting during my first weeks at university, but I was delighted to be elected. What is the European Youth Forum? The European Youth Forum is the
- Published in Blogs
British Youth Council calls on government to replace lost EU funding
The British Youth Council are calling on the UK government to announce its plans to replace significant funding lost since the UK’s exit from the EU. Following the ratification of the new trading and cooperation agreement with the European Union, organisations in the UK have lost access to Erasmus Plus. The youth-led charity is calling
British Youth Council urge Government to consult young people on Brexit
The British Youth Council are urging the UK Government to address the concerns of young people in any further Brexit negotiations. The youth-led charity has repeatedly highlighted the importance of including young people in decisions that will affect their future. The importance of maintaining funding opportunities, such as the Erasmus+ programme, remains a priority for
Young people should have a say on Brexit
The British Youth Council are calling on the Government and prominent campaigners to address the concerns of young people in any new Brexit negotiations or plans. The youth-led charity feels the voices and wishes of young people, in particular, have not reflected in Brexit negotiations up to this point. Therefore, we believe the best way
No room for young people in the Queen’s Speech
Today we heard the Government’s legislative plan via the Queen’s Speech. There was some good news, some expected news, and a huge missed opportunity. The British Youth Council campaigned on six key issues in the run up to the General Election. These are the issues that young people have told us are important to them
- Published in Blogs, Series: General Election 2017, Votes at 16
It’s time to listen to young people
As a fifteen-year-old, I campaigned in the Scottish Independence referendum but I could not vote. When I turned sixteen, I was trusted as a door-to-door canvasser for general election but was not seen mature enough to vote. At seventeen, the government successfully denied the voice of over 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds in the UK.
- Published in Blogs, Series: General Election 2017, Votes at 16
It’s about time our democracy gives a voice to the voiceless
If you were to google ‘millennials are’, the words that come after are not inspiring; ‘lazy’, ‘stupid’ or ‘screwed’. This isn’t by chance, it’s part of a wider narrative. My generation – those who are currently under 25 – are constantly undervalued and undermined. We’re seen as selfish and entitled, bone-idle and boorish. Nothing could
- Published in Blogs, Series: General Election 2017, Votes at 16