On 2 March, it was the Second Reading of the Representation of the People Bill. This Bill proposes extending the right to vote to 16 and 17 year olds.
Many constituents will know that I have been campaigning for this change since I was first elected as an MP in 2015. In my Maiden Speech, I called for the voting age to be lowered after spending time in Scotland during the referendum and seeing first-hand how informed and politically engaged so many young people were.
Shortly after arriving in Parliament, I was successful in the ballot to put forward a Private Members Bill in 2015. Although the range of pressing issues to choose from was daunting at first, I knew I wanted to use the opportunity to champion votes at 16. While that Young Persons’ Enfranchisement and Education Bill did not progress beyond its First Reading, it marked an important moment in the wider effort to ensure young people’s voices are heard.
I regularly meet young people across the constituency when visiting local colleges and youth organisations. It is clear to me – and to the many adults who work with them – that 16 and 17 year olds already can make significant life decisions requiring maturity and responsibility, such as getting married or joining the armed forces, yet they still cannot vote.
As Owen, a Lewisham North college student I met in 2019, put it, giving young people the vote “just makes sense.”
At Monday’s Second Reading, I called for the Representation of the People Bill to be given the consideration it deserves as it moves forward. As I said in my speech, maturity does not suddenly arrive on our 18th birthday.
I will continue to follow this Bill closely as it progresses to the House of Lords.
Watch the speech I gave at Second Reading below.