British Youth Council supports new Early Day Motion on Votes at 16

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Thursday, 09, Oct 2008 12:00

BYC has voiced its support for a new Early Day Motion (EDM) calling for the House of Commons to lower the voting age for all public elections in the British Mainland to 16.

This is EDM 2198 Enfranchisement of 16 and 17 year olds in Jersey submitted by Stephen Williams MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Innovation, Universities and Skills Secretary, on 8th October. This notes how in Jersey the voting age was lowered in 2007 and calls for the UK Parliament to do the same for elections in the British Mainland.

EDM’s are formal motions to the House of Commons calling for fresh debate on an issue. BYC thinks this is a great opportunity to support Votes at 16 and is asking supporters of their Votes at 16 campaign to email their MPs asking them to add their signature to EDM 2198.

Jo Swinson MP, a BYC Honorary President, who has added her signature to the EDM said:

“Jersey’s Parliament has shown that it is not afraid to trust its young people with the responsibility of voting. The British Parliament should follow Jersey’s lead and lower the voting age, to give 16 and 17 year olds a stake in the political process. I am pleased to see the BYC helping to increase support for this EDM and build the case for lowering the voting age in the UK”.

BYC Chair Emily Beardsmore added:

“16 and 17 year olds in the British mainland deserve an equality of expression: not only a voice on policies but a vote on politicians. Like in Jersey, young people in the British mainland deserve the right to elect the politicians whose decisions directly affect the responsibilities they hold in society. BYC welcomes this Early Day Motion calling for the voting age to be lowered to 16”.

For further information please contact:

Helen Deakin

Press Officer

British Youth Council

020 7022 1974

Helen.Deakin@byc.org.uk

www.byc.org.uk

The British Youth Council (BYC) is led by young people, for young people aged 26 and under across the UK. We connect with our community of member organisations and network of Local Youth Councils to empower all young people, wherever they’re from, to have a say and be heard. Our take on training and volunteering and our powerful campaigns, both local and global, inspire young people to have a positive impact and make their voices count. For more information please see a href="http://www.byc.org.uk" target="_blank">www.byc.org.uk

There are over 600 youth-led youth councils across the UK. BYC’s member organisations can reach a network of up to 7 million young people

In 2008, to celebrate 60 years of BYC empowering young people in the UK, BYC has been championing a "16 at 60" campaign to lower the voting age from 18 to 16. The delegates vote at BYC Annual Meeting 2008 means Votes at 16 will remain a priority campaign for 2008/09.

BYC is also part of the Votes at 16 Coalition Steering Group. The Votes at 16 Coalition is made up of over 40 leading youth and democracy organisations including the Children’s Rights Alliance for England, Electoral Reform Society, the National Union of Students and the National Youth Agency.

EDM 2198 Enfranchisement of 16 and 17 year olds in Jersey can be viewed at http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=36548&SESSION=891

To support EDM 2198 by emailing your MP please visit www.byc.org.uk/votesat16