Northern Ireland Youth Assembly: 'Voting Rights Of 16-year-olds Would Make My Peers Want To Engage'

BBC A girl with long thick brown hair and a brown top. She has a neutral expression and stands in front of the camera. Behind her tables with groups of people sitting at them can be seen — Cara says she would like to see more young people represented at Stormont

Members of the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly have come together to debate the arguments for and against lowering the age of voting to 16.

A range of views were heard at Stormont, and with 37 of the 51 members voting Aye and 14 voting no, the “Votes at 16′” motion was carried.

The Youth Assembly, which is made up of young people aged 12 to 16, is a platform for young people to communicate directly with decision makers.

Ninety members were selected at random.

‘People aged 16 to 17 do want to get involved’

Shea says young people like himself have very little say in politics

A brown haired teenager boy with thick eyebrows and a black buttoned up top speaks to the camera. — Shea says young people like himself have very little say in politics

Seventeen-year-old youth assembly member Shea said young people do care about the issue.

“People aged 16-17, like myself, do want to get politically involved and have that say in the process,” he told RTÉ.

“At the minute as the law stands people like myself have very little say in politics.

“I would have engagement with political representatives – but that’s only a limited say. We can’t choose who is actually here to represent us,” he added

Young people came together to debate voting rights

Michael Cooper A group of young people stand in a circle holding hands. — Young people came together to debate voting rights

Complex issue

“I think voting rights would make my peers want to engage and learn about politics,” says Cara

Cara smiles from the seats in the assembly chamber. — “I think voting rights would make my peers want to engage and learn about politics,” says Cara

Sixteen-year-old also Cara took part in the session and said it was complex issue.

“I do think people of 16 years of age should have voting rights – as it’s our future and the politicians of today are going to build the future – and I think the people who are going to live there should have a say in that,” she said.

“I think voting rights would make my peers want to engage and learn about politics and the system we have in our country,” she added.

“I think many young people want voting rights because they realise the people up in Stormont aren’t them. That means their voices aren’t being heard and it’s the voices of people who aren’t in the same situations as them.”

She added that, while the Assembly was becoming “a bit more diverse,” that more people could be in it.

MLAS are engaging

Michael Cooper Young people are lined up holding a stick together. A blonde girl smiles on one side of the picture while a brown haired girl and brown haired boy smile fm the other side of the picture.

What age to you have to be to vote around the UK?

Currently the youngest someone can vote in Northern Ireland is 18.

However in Scotland, 16-year-olds were allowed to vote in the independence referendum in 2014.

They have since been allowed to vote in elections for local government and the Scottish parliament.

In Wales, 16 and 17 year olds were able to vote in elections for the Welsh Parliament for the first time in 2021.

Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots MLA said he had been “delighted” to grant them access to the chamber for their recent debate.

“The insight these young people have been able to bring in relation to the scrutiny of legislation, inquiries and consultations has given both Assembly Committees and Executive Departments the benefit of a different and important perspective,” he said.