Council urges British Secretary of State to lower voting age to 16 for 2027 electoral cycle

Derry and Strabane councillors have agreed to write to British Secretary of State Hilary Benn, to ensure legislation is enacted in the North to lower the voting age to 16 in time for the 2027 electoral cycle.

The proposal was brought by Cllr Emma McGinley (Sinn Féin) who welcomed the announcement British Government’s decision to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote. It was seconded by Cllr Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit).

Cllr McGinley said: “As a district that is actively working towards the recognition as a child-friendly city, this council already acknowledges the importance of the voices of young people not only being listened to, but more importantly actually being heard. 

“Young people make an incredible contribution to our communities. They are impacted by public policy just like everyone else, be  it in education, health, housing, climate action, and they have every right to help shape the decisions that define their future,” she added.

“Extending the right to vote to 16 year olds will be positive democratically and will encourage more young people to engage politically. Young people shouldn't be forced to depend on older voters to represent their distinct interests and varied values. 

“I've been involved in politics since the age of 16 and I know of many many young people right across the island of Ireland who are probably more politically engaged, more so than some of the adults in their lives. They are activists in their own right and they deserve to have their voices and opinions taken on board especially on the issues that matter to them. 

“It is mine and my party's belief that our young people's voices and opinions deserve to be heard which is why we brought both successful motions to Stormont calling for the right to vote to be lowered in 2012 and 2024,” said Cllr McGinley.  

In Scotland and Wales, the ability to lower the voting age at regional and local council level is a devolved matter and the Welsh Senate and Scottish Parliament have already actioned the lowering of the franchise to 16. 

Cllr McGinley added: “However, in the North, it is not a devolved matter and as such, I am asking this Council to write to the British Secretary of State Hillary Benn, to respect the will of the Assembly and the will of this Council on the issue.

Cllr Harkin commended the National Union of Students who he said had “campaigned relentlessly” on this issue.

“It is a demand we have supported Council through numerous motions and it is frustrating the Westminster government has waited so long to do this but it is welcome news right now,” he said. 

“We should urge that legislation is enacted so that 16 and 17-year-olds can vote in the forthcoming  elections here in the North. 

“I have seen that some parties here in the chamber have opposed this. 

“I know we we have so many discussions in here about how much we value young people and youth voices and centering child's voices and child's rights and we look at the young people who are who have campaigned year and year out for this and they are saying to us, ‘ We think that we should have the right to vote at 16 and 17. 

“Our our council has been a leading voice in this and and hopefully this letter from the council will speed up um the enactment of this uh legislation,” said Cllr Harkin.

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The full text of Cllr McGinley’s motion read: “This Council acknowledges the motions passed in the Assembly in November 2012 and September 2024 calling for the voting age to be lowered for 16 and 17 year olds;

“Commends both the Welsh Senedd and the Scottish Parliament for already implementing this policy for local elections while recognising that the powers to lower the voting age are not devolved to the Assembly;

“Welcomes the British Government’s announcement to extend votes to 16 and 17 year old as for all elections;

“Calls on this council to write to the British Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, to ensure that forthcoming legislation is enacted in time for the 2027 electoral cycle.”