NYA CEO, Leigh Middleton OBE responds
”“We are delighted to welcome the Government’s announcement that 16 and 17-year-olds will be given the right to vote before the end of this parliament. Today is a monumentally historic day for youth citizenship and the democratic empowerment of young people across the United Kingdom. The delivery of this manifesto commitment means that young people will have their voices heard and their votes counted in the next General Election.
The UK Youth Parliament has long called for Votes at 16, which was a prominent theme of their manifesto ‘2024-2026: Shaping our future, today not tomorrow’. The National Youth Council for the UK (formerly the British Youth Council) has championed this work for many years, including through our UK Young Ambassadors, who have worked collaboratively with our European and global partners to bring Votes at 16 to the forefront. Furthermore, NYA and partners across the sector - including My Life My Say, The Politics Project, the National Youth Sector Advisory Board, the Back Youth Alliance, and youth work and volunteering workforces to name but a few - have consistently advocated for youth voice empowerment and engagement in policy making for many years. It cannot be overstated how much of a victory for youth voice and citizenship today marks.
However, there is still much to be done to ensure young people’s voices shape and co-design policy making at national, regional and local level. We hope, as we have seen in the wide-ranging listening exercise conducted with young people across England for the National Youth Strategy, that all Government departments and policy makers will take intentional further measures to ensure young people’s voices are heard in every place and from every space.
We stand at the ready to support Government to ensure this legislation is seen through so that young people everywhere have the right to have their say. We also urge decision makers to adopt the recommendations of the NYA's National Youth Council report to ensure that youth voice is protected and empowered on the national and international stage.”
Leigh Middleton OBECEO, National Youth Agency
Reflections on the announcement from the UK Young Ambassadors
”“The government’s announcement to lower the voting age marks a pivotal moment for young people across the UK, recognising our rights and readiness to take part in democracy.
By joining the ranks of forward-thinking nations such as Malta and Austria, the elections bill represents an important step in empowering the next generation to shape the decisions that directly affect their lives.
This milestone reflects years of dedication and advocacy, including the unwavering efforts of our youth council through the Votes at 16 campaign. The UK Young Ambassadors are thrilled by this expansion of democratic participation and we remain committed to ensuring youth voices are heard at every level of decision-making.”
Jasmine BrittanUK Young Ambassador to the Commonwealth
”“We fully support the government’s decision to extend the voting franchise to 16- and 17-year-olds. Young people contribute to society in meaningful ways—they can work, pay taxes, and even marry—yet until now, they’ve been denied a voice at the ballot box. This change is long overdue.
I warmly welcome today’s announcement. It’s a vital step toward a more inclusive democracy and a recognition of the role young people play in shaping our future.
Personally, I’m thrilled. I still remember walking into the Houses of Parliament at 15 as a Member of Youth Parliament to campaign for this very change. To see the government take action after seven years is both rewarding and hopeful."
William AwómọyìUK Young Ambassador to the Commonwealth
”“After more than a decade of active campaigning, today's announcement marks a watershed moment for generations of BYC alumni who tirelessly campaigned for Votes at 16. This is not just a victory for the British Youth Council and the values it represents; it is a testament to what can be achieved when the youth sector unites to pursue a common goal. Today, we are all winners, and young people have a day to remember.“
Maurizio CuttinUK Young Ambassador to the European Youth Forum
Reflections on the announcement from Members of Youth Parliament
”“The UK Youth Parliament welcomes today’s announcement to legislate for lowering the voting age to 16. This has been a long-standing campaign for the UK Youth Parliament since its creation over 25 years ago. We are delighted to see the government acknowledge the importance of youth voice and hope that it will enable young people to become more engaged with politics. This is a landmark decision for democracy across the UK following on from Scotland and Wales, which will ensure that young people can have a say on the political decisions for UK wide elections affecting their rights, quality of life and future opportunities.”
Alex Nurton MYPMember of Youth Parliament, Chair of the Votes at 16 Campaign Committee UK Youth Parliament.
Reflections on the announcement from NYA’s Youth Consultants
”"This is a momentous, but long overdue, upgrade to British democracy, enabling one of the most active and dynamic cohorts of the population to help shape their futures. For too long, sixteen and seventeen year olds have had to rely upon others to make decisions on their behalf, and most of the time they've been let down. Now, this shift towards a fully inclusive democratic system must provoke a wave of political literacy education so that young people and young adults can understand how their vote affects the most pressing issues of our generation, including the climate emergency and the rising cost of living"
Ben FranklandYouth Consultant, 22
”"It is great to see that decision-makers have taken on a policy that young people have campaigned on for years, but I do feel further reforms should be made. One of the major counterarguments to votes at 16 was the concern about their education, and political understanding - I hope that now the Department for Education and academy trusts implement political education into their curriculums.
Furthermore, a Minister for Youth would be a great addition to the cabinet, to ensure that young people's voices are consistently represented at the table and to encourage parties further to consider the direct impact of their policies on young people. Regardless, I look forward to the next general election where we can truly see the effects of the policy.
GiancarloYouth Consultant, 18
