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Giving More Young People a Voice in Politics
Last week, I joined cross-party MPs in Westminster Hall to debate the future of the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) – a fantastic organisation that has given young people the platform to champion, debate, and drive important societal changes across the country.
As a young person on the inaugural Steering Committee, I know how empowering it can feel to make your voice heard. However, as I emphasised during the debate, many young people are deeply engaged in politics but currently see the system as one that isn’t for them, while a lack of confidence and access to participation often hold teenagers back.
Visiting schools and youth organisations across Newbury, I’m always struck by how passionate, informed, and creative young people are about the burning issues affecting their communities and wider society.
Yet, there’s a real disconnect between that engagement and their belief that their agency will make a difference. A recent study from the University of Royal Holloway found that while three quarters of 12 to 17-year-olds would vote if given the opportunity, just 22% felt that government and institutions actually listen to them.
So, if we’re to make the introduction of votes at 16 a real success, young people need to be given the confidence and space at the heart of decision making. This includes providing the UKYP with the sustainable funding it deserves, but also through schools, citizen assemblies, and youth services, giving young people meaningful outlets to fully engage in our democracy.
Here in West Berkshire, the new West Berkshire Youth Council, launched together with Berkshire Youth, is a really encouraging step forward. But if we want the next generation to trust our democratic institutions and feel that politics works for them, we must continue to open up these opportunities so young people of all backgrounds can shape the solutions for decades to come.
