Empowerment for 16 and 17‑year‑olds: Why Luton’s youth voice is a powerful tool for change
By Forever Oji, Senior Youth Ambassador at Att10tive.
For years, young people have been spoken about as if they are simply “adults‑in‑waiting,” rather than leaders with insight, passion, and lived experience. Here in Luton, we know that narrative has never reflected reality. At Att10tive Social Enterprise, we see every day that young people are not just contributors to their communities—they are catalysts for change.
With the UK government moving forward with plans to lower the voting age to 16 ahead of the next general election, the country is finally catching up to something Lutonians have long understood: 16 and 17‑year‑olds are more than ready to shape the future of the places they call home.
The national debate often circles around whether young people are “prepared” to vote. Critics point to age‑based restrictions on other activities, but as Prime Minister Keir Starmer has highlighted, 16‑year‑olds can work, pay taxes, and even serve in the armed forces with parental consent. If they are contributing to society, it is only fair that they have a say in how that society is governed.
At Att10tive, we see beyond tokenism. Through our Youth Ambassador Weeks and our powerful Youth Action projects, young people from across Luton and Bedfordshire are already engaging with some of the most pressing issues affecting our town knife crime, serious youth violence, community safety, and trust in policing. As well as training to be leaders and running projects and event. When we sit on Joint Protective Services scrutiny panels, we don’t just observe; we challenge, question, and hold decision‑makers in the police accountable. Change happens. If 16 and 17 year‑olds can influence policing strategies today, they are certainly ready to influence the ballot box tomorrow.
One of the strongest arguments for lowering the voting age is the long‑term impact. Research shows that when young people start voting at 16, they are more likely to continue voting throughout their lives. That means stronger civic engagement, stronger communities, and a stronger democracy.
I recently spoke with Luton North MP Sarah Owen, who shared her reflections on youth engagement. She told me, “So many young people are much more engaged in political life and what matters to them and to their communities… because they have so much access to information.”
She added, “I always listen to young people… because the changes we make in legislation, they’re the ones who will feel the impact. We need to get it right for them the first time. And if we don’t engage with them, we won’t be doing that.”
Lowering the voting age is not just about turnout—it’s about trust, empowerment, and building a culture where young people feel their voice genuinely matters. But the right to vote must be paired with political education and support. Wales has already shown us that simply granting the vote isn’t enough; only around half of eligible 16 and 17‑year‑olds registered for the 2021 actually voted.
This is where Luton’s own model offers a national blueprint. At Att10tive, we don’t just teach leadership—we co‑produce it. Our Youth Ambassadors deliver workshops like B The Change to tackle bullying and Expressions to address violence against women and girls. We host radio shows, write for local media, and lead creative projects such as the Luton’s Image exhibition at the DART station—a project I was proud to manage. These experiences build confidence, critical thinking, and the ability to navigate complex political and social landscapes.
Our mission is simple: build cohesion and strengthen community harmony. Lowering the voting age supports that mission because it forces political leaders to listen to those who will inherit the consequences of decisions on housing, climate, education, and safety. It shifts power toward a generation that has too often been sidelined.
To the 1.5 million 16 and 17‑year‑olds who will soon join the electorate—including the thousands right here in Luton—the message is clear: your voice matters. At Att10tive, we have seen firsthand that when young people lead, real conversations happen and real change follows.
We are not waiting for the future. We are shaping it now. Find out more by visiting our website Att10tive.com, follow us on social media Instagram, Linkedin and YouTube.
Forever Oji Senior Youth Ambassador, Att10tive Social Enterprise