our campaign aims
The Co-operative has joined the Votes at 16 Coalition to seek cross-party support for lowering the voting age to enable all those aged 16 and above to participate in Parliamentary, Local and European elections.
We’re urging all the major parties to include it in their manifestos. If adopted, this would add a total of 1.5 million voters to the UK electorate.
The Co-operative’s prestigious history adds weight to growing calls for younger voters to be recognised within the democratic process as part of wider measures to encourage democratic engagement.
Alex Delaney
British Youth Council
Alex Delaney, of the British Youth Council, says: ‘We are delighted by The Co-operative’s support for lowering the voting age to 16. The Co-operative’s prestigious history adds weight to growing calls for younger voters to be recognised within the democratic process as part of wider measures to encourage democratic engagement. Young people's voices must be listened to by the Government and all political parties if they are serious about keeping young first-time voters engaged with democracy ahead of this year's general election and beyond.’
The Co-operative is part of the Votes at 16 coalition made up of over 40 leading youth and democracy organisations from across the UK, including the British Youth Council, NUS, Children’s Rights Alliance and the UK Youth Parliament.
Votes At 16 is supported by thousands of young people. In addition, people of all ages across the country, as well as politicians of all parties, and institutions such as the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Parliament, support the change.
More about the campaign...