Votes at 16 is one way of confronting voter apathy

Yesterday, hundreds of young people came to Parliament demanding a voice. Each was passionate about their community and their futures, and felt that their political representatives could make a difference. Each wanted to vote. Yet, because of an out-dated conservatism towards political reform, Westminster is telling them they can’t.

The lobby of Parliament by the campaign for votes at 16 brought young people from across the country. From Wigan to Walsall, Edinburgh to Portsmouth, youngsters made the long journey, in the pouring rain, to Westminster to show their support for the case. And they didn’t miss the opportunity.

A Conservative MP joined the meeting and admitted an agnostic attitude towards the issue but sportingly agreed to an impromptu debate with the students. There was only one winner. The students offered a compelling case. They argued that young people have more responsibilities and knowledge than ever before, but still have no democratic voice. They said how discouraging it is, that at the peak of their education, they were still disenfranchised ahead of the General Election next year. They said that it seemed ridiculous that their schools would be closed on polling day, and many older people wouldn’t be bothered to turn up, when they were the ones so eager to cast their vote.

It was a great pleasure to inform all the young people that Ed Miliband has promised a future Labour Government would introduce votes at 16. It’s the right thing to do. Britain has always led the way on developing our democracy, from the Great Reform Act in 1832, via the Chartists’ struggle, to the suffragettes at the beginning of the last century. It’s now time to lower the voting age and give younger people a bigger voice in our politics.

We’re facing a dramatic democratic deficit in this country. We can either turn our backs on this problem, or look for radical solutions to revive our democracy. Whilst not all young people are as politically engaged as those who lobbied Parliament, one way of confronting apathy is to offer votes at 16. By offering the vote to 16 and 17 year olds at schools, colleges and workplaces, we can intertwine civic duty with our education system. Over time, voting could become a rite of passage in our education system, like taking exams. This will require a massive strengthening of citizenship education. Offering votes at 16 would place renewed emphasis on this area for our schools and colleges.

Yesterday’s lobby was a powerful reminder of the energy and passion many young people have for their communities, families and their own aspirations. It’s time we gave these young people a voice.

Stephen Twigg is Shadow Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform