Great to see the The Oldham Times highlighting the role of Oldham Youth Council in the campaign for votes at 16.
This reform didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of years of campaigning and young people here in Oldham were ahead of the curve.
Nearly a decade ago, local young leaders were already making the democratic case: if you can work, pay tax and contribute to your community at 16, you should have a say in how the country is run. They organised, they lobbied, and they kept the pressure on.
When I was Leader of Oldham Council, we made sure young people weren’t just consulted but properly embedded in decision-making. The belief that participation should be real, not tokenistic has always guided me.
Now the law is changing:
Extending the vote to 16 and 17 year olds
Stronger safeguards against foreign interference
Tougher rules to protect our democracy
Action to make voter registration simpler and fairer
This is about strengthening democracy and backing the next generation to shape it.
Oldham’s young people helped lead this conversation and the country is now catching up.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 