We have collaborated with Barnet Youth Board to create a series of 4 blogs, getting youth opinion on a range of political issues. The opinions below are from young people aged 11 – 18 who are politically active as members of the Youth Board. This is the first in the series on the topic of the youth vote.
Question: 57% of 18-25 year olds didn't use their vote at the last election. Why is it important that they do in the upcoming elections and referendums?
“It is very important for the rest of the 57% of youth to vote, as it can be the difference between one outcome or the other” T.J. Age 14.
“It is important in order to get a more representative outcome for the majority of the people to vote” Odysseas. Age 17.
“It is SO important for you to use your vote to make sure that those in power actually represent you! They are making decisions about your life, but you didn’t vote for them! You are in a position where your voice can be heard, so many people around the world don’t have this, and even in the UK, 16-17 year olds don’t. So use your vote to make sure our government truly represents us.” Garance Zinzen, 16.
“You want things to change, but you don’t contribute through voting?! You need to get active to get your voice hears and the first step is voting.” Samar Barakat, 18.
What is worse than voting and the result not being in your favour is not voting in the first place. “Paniz Nobahari, 15
