British Youth Council on Votes at 16 Bill reading in Parliament today!

Today the British Youth Council (BYC), as part of the Votes at 16 Coalition, took young campaigners to watch the second reading of Julie Morgan MP’s Private Member’s Bill on Voting Age (Reduction) in the House of Commons.

Over 25 MPs spent over 4 hours the MPs discussing whether to lower the voting age to 16 and ran out of time to vote on whether the Bill could become legislation this afternoon. Discussion will be resumed on Friday 13th June.

Speaking in Parliament today Julie Morgan MP told how she had “brought this Private Members Bill to the House to focus the debate [on Votes at 16]” and that it was “a key time to take this decision – to go with the politics of hope”.

BYC volunteer Scott (18) said: “It was great to visit Parliament today and watch MPs debate passionately about a campaign I really care about. I’m looking forward next to checking out the work of the Youth Citizenship Commission on this issue. Votes at 16 is still the way forward!”

James Cathcart, CEO of BYC commented: “At a time when society is expecting young 16 and 17 year olds to take responsibility for their actions, we at BYC want them to be given not only a voice on the policies that affect them, but a vote. We support this Bill”.

BYC is part of the Votes at 16 coalition made up of 40 leading youth and democracy organisations.

This year BYC is celebrating 60 years of campaigning, empowering and inspiring young people in the UK and as part of these celebrations BYC is championing the campaign to lower the voting age to 16.

Over 1.5 million 16 and 17 year olds are currently denied the vote in the United Kingdom. However, their peers can vote in the British Isles of the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.


Notes:

For further information please contact:

Helen Deakin
Press Officer
British Youth Council
020 7022 1974

Helen.Deakin@byc.org.uk
www.byc.org.uk

Please find a photo of the young people who attended today attached.

The British Youth Council (BYC) is the national youth council and voice for young people under 26 living in the UK. BYC is led by young people, for young people. We connect with our community of member organisations and network of local youth councils, to empower all young people to have a say and be heard. Our fresh take on training and volunteering and our lively campaigns – both local and global - inspire young people to have a positive impact and make their voices count. For more information please see www.byc.org.uk

The Votes at 16 Coalition campaigns for 16 and 17 year olds to be able to vote in all UK public elections. Launched in 2003, the coalition is made up of over 40 leading youth and democracy organisations. For more information about the Coalition please email info@votesat16.org.uk or visit www.votesat16.org.uk


Helen Deakin
Policy and Press Officer
British Youth Council
Mezzanine 2,
1 London Bridge,
London. SE1 9BG.
Direct Tel: 020 7022 1974

Helen.Deakin@byc.org.uk
www.byc.org.uk

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The British Youth Council is celebrating 60 years of empowering young people in the UK to have a say and be heard. For more information on 60 years of BYC, please visit our website.