Votes at 16 remains on BYC agenda

The Tories were the only major parliamentary party not to back the introduction of votes for 16- and 17-year-olds in its election manifesto, but BYC said the increased turnout among young voters at last week’s poll could strengthen the case for change.

Mita Desai, chair of the BYC, said: “We will remind a Conservative government of the pledge David Cameron made at Prime Minister's Questions in January 2015, to hold a vote within the house on whether 16- and 17-year-olds should be allowed to vote in all public elections.
 
“Since the Prime Minister’s statement, Conservative MPs such as Chloe Smith have changed their minds from originally being against votes at 16 to being for it – which is yet another positive sign for moving forward.
 
“We’ve remembered his promise, now we’re going to ask him to keep it.”

Analysis carried out by the British Election Study, found nearly six out of 10 young people voted in the general election, up from 52 per cent in 2010.

BYC says the increase also highlights the effectiveness of the League of Young Voters’ 14-month campaign to get more 18- to 24-year-olds registered to vote, as well as the need for the government to engage with young people through the youth select committee and National Scrutiny Group.

It is also calling for the new government to address its five priority issues on mental health, living wages and cuts to youth services, as well at votes at 16 and the teaching of first aid in schools.

Desai added: “We know that it is really important to young people that decision makers keep their word so we will be reminding them to keep their promises.”