Democratic engagement for youth: a way forward
On the crisp morning of Wednesday, 11th October, I was honoured to have been part of an important conversation about the role of democratic engagement among young people. The roundtable brought together diverse perspectives in a bid to address a pressing issue in the UK’s political framework. In attendance were the Youth Voice Advocacy Group,
- Published in Blogs, Voting, Youth Voice Advisory Group
Young people should be trusted with the vote at 16 – here’s why
The upsurge in youth activism in recent years has led to more young people getting involved in making change happen, in the best ways that are accessible to them. This can take many forms, from social media campaigns to involving themselves in local politics or even protest. There are a myriad of examples of this
- Published in Blogs, Votes at 16, Voting
Local elections in May required Voter ID: Was it worth it?
For the first time ever, voters were required to present an accepted form of photographic identification before being issued with their ballot paper in local elections in England on 4th May 2023. The new law was first proposed to Parliament by Boris Johnson in 2021. Downing Street said that voter ID was intended to prevent
- Published in Blogs, Votes at 16, Voting
The 2023 local elections left young people behind. It’s time for things to change
The 2023 local elections happened in England on 4th May and Northern Ireland on the 18th May. People in many parts of England aged 18 and older had the chance to vote for their local councillors. These elections were crucial in deciding who ran our local councils. Local councils are in control of services like
- Published in Blogs, Votes at 16, Voting
British Youth Council launches new drive for voter registration and turnout
The British Youth Council has announced it will campaign to encourage young people to register to vote and turn out in large numbers at the next General Election. The new campaign called ‘Let’s Get Loud’ has been developed by young people for young people in partnership with the Body Shop. Let’s Get Loud is part
Over three quarters of young Brits demand equal voting rights across the UK
As May’s local elections fast approach, young people and campaigners are calling for an end to the voting postcode lottery in the UK. Currently, the voting age is 16 for local elections in Scotland and Wales, but 18 for England and Northern Ireland. This means that over 1.5million 16-and-17-year-olds in the UK do not have
- Published in News, Press, Votes at 16, Voting
Young people want better political education, votes at 16 and relaxed voter ID rules to improve political engagement
Better political education, lowering the voting age to 16, and relaxed voter ID rules are the three biggest changes that young people want to help them to vote, according to new research from The British Youth Council and The Body Shop. Currently, over 1.5 million 16-and-17-year-olds in the UK do not have a say in
- Published in APPG on Votes at 16, News, Press, Votes at 16, Voting
Electoral Reform Society slams government’s Voter ID pilots
The Electoral Reform Society has today released a report damning the 2018 Voter ID pilots as ‘a sledgehammer to crack a nut’. At this year’s local elections five areas trialled different forms of ID requirements as a measure to prevent voter fraud. However, as highlighted by the report, in a single day across the five councils
Voter ID at elections marginalises the marginalised
British Youth Council Trustee, Larissa Kennedy, comments on the Voter ID pilots undertaken at the Local Elections in 2018. Throughout history, the power of the vote and, equal access to voting, is something that so many have fought for – with young people being some of those who continue that battle to this day. It
Young Voters: Use your #votepower
The British Youth Council today calls on all 18-24-year-olds to make their mark in polling booths across the country, as they seek to mobilise more young voters than previous elections, following attempts across the youth sector to get politicians to make firm commitments to young people ahead of the General Election. Anna Rose Barker, Chair, British
- Published in News, Series: General Election, Voting
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