FOR YEARS WE HAVE WANTED THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE OUR SAY

Now the case for lowering the voting age is stronger than ever. So let’s make ourselves heard!
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New Era for Democracy: A Pathway to Votes at 16

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JOIN THE NEXT YOUTH ACTION GROUP

16-18, based in the UK and passionate about youth representation politically? We'd like to hear from you! Join the Votes at 16 Youth Action Group today.

Deadline: 29th January 2024

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THIS CAMPAIGN IS SUPPORTED BY:

What do we want?

Enable 16 and 17 year olds to influence key decisions that affect their lives.
Bring equality between 16 and 17 year-olds who can vote in Scotland and Wales, and those in England and Northern Ireland who cannot.

As the national youth council of the UK, the British Youth Council has coordinated the Votes at 16 Coalition and campaigned on the issue for over 20 years. Our values are centred on being youth-led, empowering the voices of young people in society, and ensuring that no young person is disadvantaged in any way.

We are also the Secretariat for the APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) on Votes at 16. Through the APPG, we work with MPs across the political spectrum on winning Votes at 16 through Parliament.

In 2021, we received a grant through the UK Democracy Fund, coordinated by the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust, to work with young people across 15 constituencies and build up campaigning capacity on Votes at 16.

What is the Youth Action Group?

A dynamic group of 30 young people who will lead and champion the Votes at 16 campaign in 15 targeted constituencies across the UK. Their three main objectives include; leading and informing important information about the campaign, engaging with fellow young people and decision makers and building support and encouraging the members of the public to get involved.

Meet the Votes at 16 Youth Action Group

What do I need to know?

Why Votes at 16?
With 16 and 17 year olds being able to vote in Welsh and Scottish devolved and local elections, and support from the Northern Ireland Assembly and across the British public, the case for Votes at 16 has never been stronger. In fact, there is now inequality across the UK on the basis of voting age.

Who supports Votes at 16?
The Labour Party, the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru, the Green Party, the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland and Sinn Féin all support voting at 16 for all elections. The Conservative Party does not, however the “Father of the House” Sir Peter Bottomley, as well as other senior figures in the party do support the measure.

What are we asking for?
The Votes at 16 campaign is asking for equal voting rights across the whole of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland for all 16 and 17 year olds. See below to learn how current research supports this as a way to strengthen our democracy.

Contact info

OFFICE ADDRESS
The Votes at 16 Coalition
Unit N201A Vox Studios,
1-45 Durham Street,
Vauxhall,
London SE11 5JH

PHONE NUMBER
020 4529 5927

EMAIL ADDRESS
votesat16@byc.org.uk

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