The Prime Minister’s affirmation last week that the Government intends to adopt the campaign to lower the voting age to 16, stating it would ‘definitely happen’, is very encouraging.
In November 2017, in co-operation with Oldham Youth Council, I introduced the Representation of the People (Young People’s Enfranchisement and Education) Private Member’s Bill, aiming to grant 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote in general elections, local elections, and referendums. While this Bill did not pass, it sparked a conversation on the importance of young people’s engagement with politics, which continued in the Westminster Hall Debate I initiated on the subject in 2019.
The Bill was initiated in Oldham, it was written in Oldham, and its formation to become a manifesto policy, then to government policy owes much to the young people of our town.
One of the main arguments then was that since individuals at 16 are subject to direct taxation, they should have a say in how their taxes are spent. There should be no taxation without representation. The Prime Minister echoed this sentiment in last week’s liaison committee saying, ‘I think if you’re old enough to go out and work, if you’re old enough to pay taxes, then you are entitled to have a say on how your taxes are spent.’
I am proud that this initiative was born in Oldham and came from the direct political engagement of Oldham Youth Council, which continues as seen with our most recent meeting being in January to further discuss issues such as Votes at 16.
We can’t underestimate the power our community and our young people have had in shaping the national agenda and extending the democratic process to future generations.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 