Opinions
Programmes
Author
Lily Mott
Lily Mott is the Communications and Engagement Officer and v.16 Project Lead at My Life My Say, where she leads youth-driven campaigns to strengthen democratic participation across the UK. She is passionate about amplifying young voices and building cross-sector partnerships for meaningful change.
At 16, young people in the UK are already contributing to society; they can pay tax, enter the workforce, get married or have a civil partnership, and even serve in the armed forces. It's only right that they should also have the opportunity to vote and have a say in the political decisions that shape their futures.
That’s why at My Life My Say we have launched the V.16 campaign, a youth-led call for an “update to democracy”—a cross-sector movement backed by young people, politicians, influencers, and civil society partners from across the UK. On 23 June 2025, we officially launched the v.16 campaign with major events in London (UK Parliament) and Manchester (People’s History Museum), aiming to collaborate with the Government to uphold its manifesto promise to extend the voting franchise to 16- and 17-year-olds in all UK elections. V.16 positions this long-overdue reform as a “system update” to ensure democracy reflects the voices of the next generation.
The London event featured addresses from Minister Rushanara Ali MP and Sarah Olney MP and was attended by a number of cross-party MPs. In Manchester, over 100 young people gathered alongside Mayor Andy Burnham (via video), campaign ambassador Sharon Gaffka, and other speakers at the public launch event.
Sharon Gaffka, v.16 Ambassador, Content Creator, Women’s Rights Activist told us, “Young people aren’t just the future – they’re the present. But too often, decisions about their lives are made without them. The v.16 campaign is about changing that. Giving 16- and 17-year-olds the vote isn’t just overdue, it’s essential. I’m proud to be part of the movement pushing for a democracy that actually reflects who it’s meant to serve.”
Eva Bradley, 17, Youth Steering Group Member (Northern Ireland) explained what it means to her, saying, ‘"I've been politically active from a young age, but like so many other 16- and 17-year-olds across the UK, I've been denied a say at the ballot box time and time again. There's deep inequality in that. 16- and 17-year-olds in Scotland and Wales can vote in devolved and local elections, while those in England and Northern Ireland can vote in none. It's time to give all 16 and 17-year-olds an equal say in democracy.”
Now on July 4th, exactly a year since the General Election, we are calling on you to join us in a digital day of action. Please help us to keep Votes at 16 at the forefront of the national conversations and the Government’s agenda. Use social media to ask the government to “Install the update and secure the vote for 16 and 17 year olds in all UK general elections” Tag your MP and My Life My Say and use #votesat16 #updatedemocracy #v16.
Check here for more content ideas.
 |
 |
 |