Caerphilly Observer
Menu
  • News
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Covid-19 stats
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership
  • Newsletter
  • Notices
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Log in
  • My account
Menu

Sixteen-year-olds given right to vote in Wales after bill gets Royal Assent

News | Alexia Conrath | Published: 13:19, Wednesday January 15th, 2020.
Last updated: 13:25, Wednesday January 15th, 2020

Sixteen and 17-year-olds will officially be granted the right to vote in National Assembly and council elections in Wales, after the Senedd and Elections Act received Royal Assent today (Wednesday, January 15).

The Senedd and Elections Bill was passed by Assembly Members in November last year. Under the new law, the Welsh Assembly will also be renamed Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament.

The act will come into effect in May.

It is the biggest change to the franchise in Wales since the reduction of the voting age from 21 to 18 in 1969.

Votes at 16: What do young people think?

The Electoral Reform Society (ERS) described the approval of the bill as a “momentous day in the campaign for a fairer franchise”, with Wales joining Scotland in introducing votes at 16.

Jess Blair, Director of ERS Cymru said: “This is a real step forward for young people across Wales, and a real campaign victory.

“Sixteen and 17-year-olds will now rightly have a say over critical issues that affect their future, such as health, education and the economy.


Latest news

  • Bid to change flats development given go-aheadThursday, January 21, 2021
  • Calls for support to help choirs survive pandemicThursday, January 21, 2021
  • Further support for unpaid carers announcedThursday, January 21, 2021
  • Daughter of late Senedd Member Mohammad Asghar to stand in electionWednesday, January 20, 2021
  • Teachers to determine pupils’ grades after coronavirus disruptionWednesday, January 20, 2021
  • Body discovery still being treated as “unexplained”Wednesday, January 20, 2021

“As we’ve already seen in Scotland, this is a boost for our democracy as a whole – strengthening citizenship and boosting political engagement.”

She added: “These changes send a decisive signal that 20 years after devolution, Wales now has significant powers to do things differently and change the way elections work. 

“Unfortunately, a generation of young people in England and Northern Ireland will now be left behind, while Scotland and Wales make major strides in strengthening democracy.”

Caerphilly Media

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Latest News

  • Pontymister residents met up to discuss the plansBid to change flats development given go-ahead
    Thursday, January 21, 2021
  • Calls for support to help choirs survive pandemic
    Thursday, January 21, 2021
  • Further support for unpaid carers announced
    Thursday, January 21, 2021
  • Natasha Asghar is second on the Welsh Conservatives' list for South Wales EastDaughter of late Senedd Member Mohammad Asghar to stand in election
    Wednesday, January 20, 2021
  • Teachers to determine pupils’ grades after coronavirus disruption
    Wednesday, January 20, 2021
© 2009-2020 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Britannia House, Caerphilly Business Park, Van Road, Caerphilly, CF83 3GG. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.