Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds already have many adult rights and responsibilities, so why shouldn’t they be allowed to vote?

That is the argument put forward by Lib-Dem Councillors in Bath and North East Somerset, who are calling for the Government to extend voting rights to sixteen and seventeen-year-olds and putting B&NES’ hat in the ring for any future pilot projects.

As the youngest Councillor in B&NES, Ryan Wills has a unique perspective on the issue and led on this motion at last week’s full Council meeting. He said:“At sixteen, you can work part-time, pay income tax and national insurance, and receive benefits in your own right. You can even get married and start a family of your own. Yet you can’t vote in an election that may directly affect your future. We believe it is only fair that rights should be aligned with responsibilities.

“It is often said that young people aren’t interested in politics, but I think this is an outdated idea. With the enormous threats of climate change and Brexit hanging over our futures, young people are more politically engaged than ever before. You only have to look to the hundreds of local teenagers taking part in the Youth Strike 4 Climate to see this.

“If more young people had the right to vote, politicians would have more incentive to listen to them. Combined with strong citizenship education in schools, this would drive understanding and engagement in both directions, setting young people up for a lifetime of civic participation.

“Young people are demanding a say in their future and I say: let’s give them a say.”

Councillor Yukteshwar Kumar, who seconded the motion, added: “Today’s teenagers understand much more than the previous generation, in large part because of the massive growth in social media and on-demand TV beaming news and debate to us directly, 24 hours a day. We’re living in a different era now.”

The motion was adopted with 42 votes in favour.