Alex Nurton is a Member of UK Youth Parliament and the Chair of the Votes at 16 Committee. With the Second Reading of the Representation of the People Bill having taken place on 2 March 2026, Alex shares why extending the vote to 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds matters.
For more than 25 years, young people and youth organisations have campaigned for this change, recognising how political decisions shape every part of their lives. The Votes at 16 Committee brings together MYPs to gather young people’s views and drive UK Youth Parliament’s campaign for the right to vote. At its heart, the committee’s work strengthens youth democracy by ensuring young people have a real say in the decisions that shape their future.
How have your personal experiences shaped your belief that 16- and 17-year-olds should vote?
I often find myself discussing politics with friends, including people who wouldn’t say they’re “political”. Being surrounded by 16- to 17-year-olds everyday (and being 17 myself), I see just how politically engaged young people really are. I see this through my work with UK Youth Parliament and the MYPs I’ve met at the Annual Conference, where we worked in committees on key issues to prepare for the House of Commons Annual Sitting, and during the November Sitting itself, but also in everyday school life.
Young people follow the issues that matter to them and want to shape their future. It’s also important to recognise that 16- and 17-year-olds are already affected by almost every political decision, especially in areas like education and employment.
Critics often argue that 16-year-olds lack the maturity or political understanding to vote. How do you respond to that narrative?
If those critics spent time with the young people I know, they would be surprised by how mature, informed and thoughtful they are. My friends might not all be party‑political, but they care deeply about issues that affect their lives, just as much as any adult.
And we already have evidence that this works: young people aged 16 and 17 in Scotland and Wales already vote in local council elections and devolved parliament elections. Extending this to England, and to UK-wide General Elections, would make sure young people across the UK have the same opportunity to participate in democracy.
What impact do you think the Representation of the People Bill will have on youth engagement and long‑term democratic participation?
Research by the Electoral Commission (2024) shows that voting at a younger age helps build habits that continue into adulthood. But I also think we need to rethink our approach to youth engagement. Instead of criticising young people for not getting involved in politics, we should question why politics doesn’t do more to engage them.
My hope is that lowering the voting age will encourage political parties and politicians to properly listen to young people and involve them more in decision-making.
How does this change align with the needs and realities of young people today?
Most young people are balancing school, part-time work, future plans and important decisions about their careers or education. These are all directly shaped by political decisions.
Why is it important that our electoral system evolves with society?
The Representation of the People Bill follows in the footsteps of earlier democratic changes, such as the 1918 Act, which gave women the right to vote, and the 1969 Act, which lowered the age from 21 to 18. Our democracy has never stood still.
Young people in Scotland have been voting in local and Scottish Parliament elections since 2016, and that has been widely recognised as a positive step. Democracy evolves to reflect society, and that evolution should be embraced, not feared.
How might Votes at 16 reshape political culture in the UK over the next decade?
I don’t accept the idea that young people aren’t engaged in politics. The real issue is that the political system often overlooks young voices.
Extending the vote to 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds would mean political parties must listen to young people, take their concerns seriously and involve them in national conversations. Over time, that could make our political culture more inclusive, more forward‑looking and more connected to the realities young people face.
Does youth work have a part to play in preparing young people to navigate the political system and exercise their right to vote?
Youth work is absolutely vital. Youth workers across the country do an incredible job supporting young people to understand the world around them and to raise their voices.
Schools also play a key role. That’s why UK Youth Parliament’s new e‑petition is calling on the Government to fund high‑quality political and citizenship education resources. Teachers need the tools to teach young people about why voting matters and how to take part confidently and safely.
If you’d like to support our, UK Youth Parliament’s, call for better political and citizenship education, you can sign the e‑petition below.
