Ten years after MSPs passed the Votes at 16 Bill in Scotland, we welcome Westminster’s plans to make it a legal right across the UK.
Nearly a month ago (18 June), we took over social media to celebrate a decade since decision-makers at Holyrood passed this historic bill, and some of us reflected on the legislation in a series of blogs posted here on our website.
Now our focus is on the House of Commons, where the government has just announced its intention to lower the voting age nationwide.
We’re thrilled to see this happening, following our meeting with Democracy Classroom and other organisations down in London this week for the launch of a report which highlights 16 recommendations to help politicians implement this bill successfully.
These include establishing a minimum entitlement to democratic education, expanding opportunities for young people to engage, lead, and influence, and modernising the curriculum. Further information on the Roadmap to Votes at 16 can be found here.
Ellie Craig, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, commented:
“I am delighted that the UK Government has today released its plans for achieving votes at 16 for all young people across the UK. Scotland’s young people have benefited from 10 years of enfranchisement at 16, meaning thousands of young people have had the opportunity to have their say in decisions that affect their lives and their futures.
“MSYPs are clear that enfranchisement is just one step to ensuring young people can participate fully in elections. Young people need access to citizenship and political education to ensure that they can participate meaningfully in all elections at a local and national level. Political education should be woven throughout the school curriculum and embedded into youth work and community settings to ensure all young people have the chance to discuss their views with a trusted adult.”
Since 1999, we’ve been campaigning for votes at 16 as part of our efforts to apply the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in all matters concerning young people’s wellbeing. The UNCRC is the backbone of our manifesto, and you can read more about it here.
“In our current manifesto development, young people are asking for political education to be universally offered, consistent, cohesive, and regularly updated. SYP supports the recommendations from the Democracy Classroom Network to establish a minimum entitlement to democratic education and to support educators and youth workers to deliver excellent democratic education,” Ellie added.
