The Politics Project

“We surely cannot go ahead with extending the right to vote unless we put in place a system that enables the young to understand the responsibility they carry.” We were so lucky to have Lord Blunkett speak at the Launch of the #RoadmaptoVotesat16 that we held in the House of Commons two weeks ago 📣 Supported by 40 organisations in the Democracy Classroom Network, the Roadmap sets out 16 key recommendations to ensure young people have the education and support they need to participate fully and confidently. 👉 Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e5zzJjKP 📸 Photo credit to the amazing Paul Smyth from Politics In Action! Association for Citizenship Teaching Association of Colleges Democracy Club Education Scotland I have a voice CIC My Life My Say National Union of Students (UK) National Youth Agency Youth Work Unit Yorkshire & the Humber CIO Shout Out UK UK Youth Electoral Reform Society Fair Education Alliance mySociety National Association for Managers of Student Services Northern Ireland Youth Forum Partnership for Young London Politics In Action Scottish Youth Parliament The Economist Educational Foundation Youth Focus North West (YFNW) Young Citizens Vote 16 UK

A few weeks ago, we were lucky enough to be joined by two wonderful young people who came along for some work experience - right when we most needed all the help we could get 😄 Thomas joined us in the week leading up to the launch of the #RoadmaptoVotesat16, while Xenia was with us for the parliamentary launch and government announcement on #Votesat16 🗳️ Here's what they had to say about their time with us: "One of my biggest takeaways has been how crucial it is to create the right conditions for Votes at 16. This policy needs to be grounded in support, education, equity, and inclusion! The team here is amazing and I’ve loved every moment of my time with them. Can’t wait to keep working in these areas!" - Thomas "The highlight of my week was meeting the team and seeing young people speak for this cause so eloquently and confidently - making me proud of our “beacons of the future” as described in Lord Blunkett's emotive speech. I look forward to returning to school and bringing what I've learnt into the classroom - our debates this week have truly inspired me." - Xenia Good luck to both of you as you find your own paths 💪 #ThePoliticsProject #WorkExperience #YouthPolitics #YouthVoice #DemocraticEducation

Yesterday our Chief Growth Officer Tiffany Smyly was at Parliament for the launch of the Roadmap to Votes at 16 – an ambitious, collaborative push to make democratic participation a reality for all young people. The day began with young people from across the UK, representing orgs like My Life My Say, Politics In Action, Scottish Youth Parliament and more, sharing how to better engage their peers in democratic life. The recommendations in the roadmap? They deliberated and ranked them themselves. We heard powerful interventions from Lord David Blunkett, Rushanara Ali MP and Jan Eichhorn – and left with key takeaways: 🗳 Young people are political – they just need better access, clearer information and confidence in their views 🏫 Education is where this starts – through critical thinking, trusted sources and practical democratic knowledge 📣 Democracy isn't protected by accident – it has to be taught, made visible and constantly renewed Huge thanks to The Politics Project who coordinated the roadmap through the Democracy Classroom network, and to the UK Democracy Fund for backing it. We’re proud to have contributed and even prouder to keep pushing for a democracy where every young person can take part. #VotesAt16 #Democracy #YouthVoice #PoliticalEducation

Last week we joined the #RoadmapToVotesAt16 launch event in Parliament - setting out 16 key recommendations to make the lowering of the voting age meaningful. Minister for Democracy Rushanara Ali MP called votes at 16 “a defining right” and highlighted the vital role of education in preparing young people to participate confidently in our democracy. With the Curriculum and Assessment Review ongoing, now is a crucial time to invest in Citizenship education so every young person is empowered, and confident when heading to the ballot box. Read the full report here: https://ow.ly/VMmC50WtQJy Democracy Classroom The Politics Project #Votesat16 #MediaLiteracy #CitizenshipEducation #RoadmaptoVotesat16 #Youth #Education #YouthPolitics

Yesterday Team TPP had a lovely day out! ⭐️ Thank you Laburnum Boat Club for a veryyy exciting canal boat excursion, we saw lots of cute boats and ducklings 🐥 Then we did a (rainy) race across London which was so fun - and we came first! 🏆 #winners 😆 A summer day out isn't right without a little torrential rain 🌦️ Hope everyone has a lovely weekend! #TeamTPP #DayOut #DemocraticEducation #YouthVoice

We were honoured to be joined by MPs, members of the UK House of Lords, teachers, youth practitioners, young people and the Minister for Democracy, Rushanara A. MP, for the Launch of Democracy Classroom's #RoadmaptoVotesat16 in House of Commons last week 🤩 The recommendations in the Roadmap explore the best ways to support the effective implementation of #Votesat16. The resounding takeaway from the event was undoubtedly the importance of youth voice and engagement 💪 "It's over to you. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us and we are determined, as a government, to make sure your generation and future generations can live in a thriving and vibrant democracy in the decades ahead. I look forward to working with you, as we together, write the next chapter of our democracy - one centered on making sure that young people of our nation are heard and are able to shape their future" - Minister for Democracy, Rushanara Ali MP. Votes at 16 is a historic opportunity to redefine how young people see their role in society, and we look forward to working with the government to make it a success in the months and years ahead. Thank you to everyone who joined us for it and everyone who has supported and contributed to the Roadmap- this was a huge joint effort 👏 🌟 Backed by 40 organisations including: Association for Citizenship Teaching Association of Colleges Democracy Club Education Scotland I have a voice CIC My Life My Say National Union of Students (UK) National Youth Agency, Network of Regional Youth Work Units Youth Work Unit Yorkshire & the Humber CIO Shout Out UK The Politics Project UK Youth, Boys' and Girls' Club of Wales, Electoral Reform Society Fair Education Alliance mySociety, My Vote My Voice, National Association for Managers of Student Services Northern Ireland Youth Forum Partnership for Young London Politics In Action Scottish Youth Parliament The Economist Educational Foundation and Youth Focus North West (YFNW) 👉 Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e5zzJjKP #RoadmaptoVotesat16 #Democracy #Youth #Education #YouthPolitics #UKPolitics #Westminster

✨ This week has been pretty special. Three incredible back-to-back events, topped off with the government announcing Votes at 16 (!) Not a week we’ll forget anytime soon. With this announcement, there’s real optimism that support for educators, practitioners and young people to ensure they have a meaningful vote and voice is finally on the horizon. We welcome the recognition of the important role that education needs to play in supporting Votes at 16 from the government at our events.  We’re so proud to have launched the Roadmap to Votes at 16 - showcasing the best ideas and wisdom from organisations across the Democracy Classroom Network. It sets out 16 key steps to ensure young people can meaningfully participate and you can read it here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e4t7x6U5 🙏 Huge thanks to Minister Rushanara A. and the MHCLG team for supporting our launch - and to all the MPs who joined us to meet and listen to the young people they represent, especially to Kirsty Blackman and the APPG for Political and Media literacy for hosting us. This week we had the privilege to spend time with over 50 inspiring young people from 9 youth organisations across the UK. Their passion, challenge, and insight were a powerful reminder of why it matters so much to give young people a voice. 💬 Special shout-out to Rajsee Saraf for chairing her first panel with such skill. 💛 Thank you to colleagues across the sector for your incredible generosity - report editing, booking rooms, inviting MPs, supporting young people, and making these events possible. Also a shout out to Ellen Berry and Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust for funding this work and believing in our vision. 🙌 And finally to the TPP team: Pip Sayers, Ian Pope and Maddy D. for months of hard work. Florence Emlyn Jones for masterminding these events (and a comms packs that people can’t stop talking about). Fatema and Sharon for staying until 9.30pm on Tuesday to make sure our leftover food went to a good home via Olio. Legends. We’re taking a little time to recharge over the summer, but we can’t wait to continue this journey next academic year and turn the roadmap into reality. 🚀 Sharon Long James Cathcart. James Sloam Jan Eichhorn Paul Smyth George Ryder Billie Dunne Penny Lamb Matteo Bergamini MBE Tiffany Smyly Charlee Bewsher Lily Mott Dan Lawes Grant Poiner Peter Keeling Laura Cunliffe-Hall Eddie Playfair Mike Wright

📰 Did you hear about the UK Government’s plans to introduce #Votesat16? Read TPP’s statement on the policy 🗳️ In case you missed it, Democracy Classroom launched the #RoadmaptoVotesat16 in the House of Commons yesterday alongside the Minister for Democracy, Rushanara A. MP ⭐️ The Roadmap brought together over 200 organisations, teachers, youth practitioners and academics to co-design solutions to make Votes at 16 a success in the UK 👏 🔗 Click here to read the full report https://lnkd.in/e5zzJjKP #RoadmaptoVotesat16 #Votesat16 #youthpolitics #ukdemocracy #democraticeducation

🚨Launching: A Roadmap to Votes at 16 🚨 Today, Democracy Classroom are launching the #RoadmaptoVotesat16 in Parliament with the Democracy Minister, Rushanara A. MP 📣 📘 Co-designed by 40 organisations in the education, youth and democracy sector, the report lays out 16 key recommendations to make lowering the voting age meaningful – from democratic education in schools, to youth-led action, to tackling misinformation. These include: 1️⃣ Establish a minimum entitlement to democratic education. 2️⃣ Support educators and youth practitioners to deliver excellent democratic education. 3️⃣ Modernise the curriculum. 4️⃣ Expand opportunities for young people to engage, lead and influence. 5️⃣ Support communications campaigns to encourage youth engagement. 🌟 Backed by 40 organisations including: Association for Citizenship Teaching Association of Colleges Democracy Club Education Scotland I have a voice CIC My Life My Say National Union of Students (UK) National Youth Agency, Network of Regional Youth Work Units Youth Work Unit Yorkshire & the Humber CIO Shout Out UK The Politics Project UK Youth, Boys' and Girls' Club of Wales, Electoral Reform Society Fair Education Alliance mySociety, My Vote My Voice, National Association for Managers of Student Services Northern Ireland Youth Forum Partnership for Young London Politics In Action Scottish Youth Parliament The Economist Educational Foundation and Youth Focus North West (YFNW) 👉 Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e5zzJjKP #RoadmaptoVotesat16 #Democracy #Youth #Education #YouthPolitics #UKPolitics #Westminster

We had an amazing meet-up with our incredible Youth Steering Group last weekend ⭐️ It was a chance for us all to reflect on the highlights of the previous year, and to also look to the year ahead 💪 Watch this space for opportunities to join our YSG 👀 #ThePoliticsProject #YouthSteeringGroup #YouthPolitics #UKPolitics #education Rajsee Saraf Yusuf Shobair MYP