“I am thrilled by the news that the UK government has announced a change to the voting age for elections. The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has previously recommended that the UK Government hold consultations with children and young people on lowering the voting age to 16 in Northern Ireland and England, so this announcement is very welcome – and will surely have a profound effect on efforts to lower the vote in NI, changing the face of democracy for the better.
However, as plans to lower the voting in NI are unlikely to be implemented in time for the next scheduled Assembly election in 2027, questions remain over how this decision will affect young people’s ability to vote in NI elections, including at local councils and the Assembly.
I continue to stress that making changes to the voting system will require investment into public awareness and education. Several young people I have spoken with have raised that they would like to have political education in schools. This must include citizenship, knowledge of the democratic processes and critical thinking. Government and society must also utilise better measures to tackle misinformation, so that our children and young people are best placed to vote based on political knowledge informed by facts.
Young people often express that political representatives do not listen to them. This can change and must change.
Our young people are already engaged in shaping society – they contribute to the economy, volunteer in their communities, and advocate for change on issues that affect them – it is, therefore, only right that they are given a say in electing the representatives who make decisions on their behalf.
Young people have worked so hard over the years, expressing their desire to vote and lobbying steadfastly, supported by a range of youth, community and civil society organisations. Yesterday’s announcement and what it means for their future is nothing less than they deserve.
For over a decade, I, too, have engaged with various Secretaries of State, MLAs, and other decision makers on this issue. I will be raising this matter with the Secretary of State again at our next meeting, and I look forward to hearing how lowering the voting age to 16 will be implemented in NI.”
