For immediate release: Friday 26 June 2009

The Children’s Rights Alliance for England (CRAE) has today responded to the Youth Citizenship Commission final report on youth citizenship in the UK.

Sam Dimmock, CRAE’s head of policy and public affairs, said:

‘CRAE has been at the forefront of the campaign for democratic rights for 16 and 17 year olds for some time. The continued denial of the basic civil and political right to vote for 16 and 17 year-olds is unnecessary. They have said loud and clear that they want votes at 16. There is no need for further review and delay. We urge the Government to listen to what young people are saying and act now.

16 and 17 year-olds can go to war, get married and pay taxes but not elect their Government. They feel, and we agree, that this is fundamentally unfair.

CRAE is particularly concerned that the Government may allow 16 and 17 year-olds in the devolved nations to vote, but not those in England. If 16 and 17 year-olds in Paisley and Powys are able to vote, why not those in Preston, Peterborough or Plymouth? The voting age must be reduced consistently across the UK to avoid unnecessary discrimination against young people.’

Contact details

Sam Dimmock, head of policy, T: 020 7278 8222 ext. 23, E: sdimmock@crae.org.uk

Notes for editors

1. The Children's Rights Alliance for England is a coalition of over 270 organisations and individuals seeking the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in England. Our vision is of a society where the human rights of all children are recognised and realised. http://www.crae.org.uk

2. CRAE has been at the forefront of the campaign for democratic rights for 16 and 17 year olds. In 2000 CRAE published the groundbreaking pamphlet, The REAL Democratic Deficit: Why 16 and 17 year-olds should be allowed to vote. Find out more about our work on lowering the voting age.

3. In 2003 CRAE was a founding member of the Votes at 16 Coalition. Find out more about the coalition at www.votesat16.org.uk.

4. The Youth Citizenship Commission's has issued their final reports, Making the connection: Building youth citizenship in the UK and Old enough to make a mark? Should the voting age be lowered to 16? Final Responses - June 2009.