Wigan Council welcomes campaign to lower voting age to 16

At a Wigan Council meeting on Wednesday, April 17, Labour councillor for Tyldesley and Mosley Common, Jess Eastoe, put forward a motion in to reduce the voting age in all UK elections to 16 and 17-year-olds.

It is a motion that highlights the 'Vote at 16 Campaign', which is a youth-led campaign but has had support from people of all parties in all regions of the country.

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The motion passed with 59 votes (Image: Cllr Jess Eastoe)
While all Labour councillors voted for the motion, it was not without heated debate as some opposition councillors questioned whether 16 and 17-year-olds are mature enough to vote, while others argued that there are more pressing issues in the borough.

Cllr Easote had pushed for the motion after speaking to 16 and 17-year-olds in her ward, stating that young people should be given their own voice to discuss the things that are happening in their communities.

In her speech, Cllr Eastoe pointed to evidence where political apathy declined and voter turnout increased after voting ages were lowered, with Scotland and Wales already allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote.

Cllr Eastoe said that many young people are politically engaged, but believe that politicians do not speak for them because they cannot vote or hold them to account.

The motion was seconded by Cllr Paul Molyneux, who argued that all the things you can do at 16 have a political aspect to them, such as joining the military, paying taxes and national insurance, having a baby, leaving home, and donating blood.

Cllr David Molyneux, leader of the council, also pointed out that current 16-year olds who may want to vote will be eligible to vote in many of the councillors next election.

The motion passed after two abstentions and three votes against, but Cllr Eastoe said that the "hard work continues" with plans to write to the government and to increase support in the campaign across the country.

Labour councillors for Tyldesley and Mosley Common, Joanne Marshall and Jess Eastoe (Image: Leigh Journal)
Councillor Eastoe's speech in full:

"Voting at 16 is a topic that has gained a lot of attention in recent years – but has been a campaign for more than 20 years.

"For the purposes of time, I have three themes as to why I so passionately believe in Votes at 16.

"One: voter turn out – something we all want to amplify. Two:  Evidence says it works -  drawing on the examples. Three: Levelling up fairness in democracy.

"Jim McMahon, a Member of Parliament in Oldham, has been a vocal advocate for lowering the voting age to 16.

"He introduced a Private Members' Bill in 2017 called the 'Representation of the People (Young People's Enfranchisement and Education) Bill', which aimed to lower the voting age to 16 for all elections in the UK.

"While the bill did not pass, it sparked important discussions about youth engagement in politics and the voting age.

"It's a crucial issue because it recognizes that young people have a stake in shaping the future of their country.

"By allowing 16-year-olds to vote, we empower them to have a say in decisions that directly affect their lives.

"Several countries have already implemented voting at 16, including Austria, Brazil, Argentina and closer to home, Scotland and Wales. 

"These nations recognize that 16-year-olds are capable of making informed decisions and have valuable perspectives to contribute to the democratic process.

"Lowering the voting age promotes civic engagement from an early age, fostering a sense of responsibility and encouraging young people to actively participate in their communities.

"It also allows them to voice their concerns, opinions, and aspirations, ensuring that their needs are taken into account by policymakers.

"By supporting 16-year-olds to have the right to vote, we send a powerful message that their voices matter and that we value their input. It's a step towards building a more inclusive and representative democracy.

"The average turn out for Wigan borough local elections is up to 30% but has been as low as 5% in by elections and in most wards is around 20%.

"This is a tell tail sign that there is apathy and disinterest amongst voters.

"Giving 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote could increase turnout by a further 6%

"There are youth elections, supported by Wigan and Leigh Youth Cabinet, to elect Members of Youth Parliament and Deputy – the school age elections this year recorded 13,835 voters – giving them a bigger mandate us. And proving, when given the option, young people will vote.

"As politicians we need to be held accountable by teenagers when we make the decisions that affect their day to day lives.

"The British Youth Council found that 71% of young people do not believe that politicians speak for or to them in the lead-up to elections – many young people believe it is because they can not vote.

"Politicians, both local, regional and national, must do better to engage young people in politics. In one way or another, we have all advocated for young people as politicians, but often make decisions about young people without young people.

"The best way to amplify youth voice, engage young people, and to hold each other accountable is to support votes at 16.

"In Scotland, the voting age was lowered to 16 for the Scottish Parliament and local council elections in 2015. Since then, over 100,000 16 and 17-year-olds have registered to vote.

"In fact, the evidence from Scotland is striking. In elections since the vote was extended to 16 and 17 year-olds, the participation of them has been at 75% -  a turn out we all dream of.

"97% of the Scottish young voters said that they would vote in future elections.

"The evidence shows that not only has participation in elections risen significantly among 16 and 17 year-olds but, crucially, engagement in other aspects of civic affairs, including voluntary associations, the signing of petitions and engagement in public campaigns, has risen too.

"The evidence shows that not only has participation in elections risen significantly among 16 and 17 year-olds but, crucially, engagement in other aspects of civic affairs, including voluntary associations, the signing of petitions and engagement in public campaigns, has risen too.

"The reason for the increase in participation is not a surprise to those, like me, who work with children and young people:

"All habits in life start young. Whether that be sports, art, or indeed voting.

"If we want people to vote which everyone in this room does, we need to start the habit young.

"Everyone accepts that 16 and 17 year-olds are young adults. Therefore, it’s an absolute that they should be given the option to vote.

"This change in Scotland, has given young people the chance to have their voices heard and participate in the democratic process.

"It has shown that 16-year-olds are capable of making informed decisions and engaging in political discussions.

"Similarly, in Wales, the Senedd (Sen ev) (Welsh Parliament)  have lowered the voting age to 16.

"This decision was made in 2021, allowing young people in Wales to have a say in electing their representatives. Since then it has been estimated that 45% of 16 and 17 year olds have registered to vote.

"It's a step towards promoting youth engagement and ensuring that their perspectives are considered in shaping policies that affect them.

"The experiences in Scotland and Wales have demonstrated that lowering the voting age to 16 can be successful in increasing youth participation and fostering a sense of civic responsibility.

"It recognizes the importance of including young people in decision-making processes and valuing their opinions.

"There is an argument for fairness for young people in England to vote at 16, to give them a voice and say in the democratic process as the young people in Scotland and Wales do.

"Democracy as a whole benefits when it is representative, fair and equal. 

"There are people who are fearful of votes at 16  because they don’t believe young people know their own mind enough to vote.

"However, when asked 76% of young people said they would like to vote, and 46% said there aren't enough opportunities to learn politics in our current system.

"The simplest way to engage young people in politics is to give them the ability to vote.

"If we give 16 and 17 year olds a choice, they can still choose not to vote like the rest of the population. 

"Opposers will accuse us of gerrymandering however, it has been proven that if any political party or organisation captures the interests and empowers our young we can inspire voters from all views to be involved and informed in a fair and democratic way.

"Votes at 16 is already a cross party issue and supported by many different politicians from different parties for example; Andy Burnham (Labour), Caroline Lucas (Green), Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat), Sir Peter Bottomly (Conservative).

"There is an existing all-party parliamentary group for votes at 16 which had worked with the British Youth Council – until 2023.

"Votes at 16 is a campaign which has been asking for the vote for 16 and 17 year olds for years … and where the campaign has been successful there has been positive engagement of young people to get into politics.

"But we have our work cut out to influence and inform a bigger number of MPs to ensure the next time they have a vote for votes at 16, enough people believe it to be the right and decent thing to do.

"Although this issue may not be a priority in comparison to national issues, it is an important campaign to keep on the agenda nationally because it can best shape our countries future.

"So, please vote for this motion to write to the government and ask them to extend the voting age to 16 in all future elections."