The North Antrim MLA has said: “We have long-argued that the disenfranchisement of our society’s young people is a major democratic deficit here in Northern Ireland. As a former youth worker and someone who has previously worked on the Votes at 16 campaign, I’m delighted to hear of the UK Government’s plans to extend voting rights to 16 and 17 year olds, alongside a host of other measures to ensure more people are able to exercise their right to vote.

“However, time is of the essence and we need urgent clarification that it will be a priority to see this implemented in time for the next NI Assembly election in 2027. We cannot afford any further delay.

“It’s clear to us, not least through engagement with our own Alliance Youth wing, that we have so many intelligent young people who are politically engaged and have deeply held social and political views. They deserve to have their voices heard on policy issues that directly affect their lives and the people making those decisions.

“Education is an important part of this, however, and giving our young people all the tools they need to be able to engage confidently with the political process going forward into the rest of their lives. An overhaul in the current curriculum’s approach to political education is an essential part of this process.

“Young people are not the future, they’re the here and now and extending the franchise to vote at an early age has the potential to foster lifelong engagement with our democratic processes and wider society. Alliance is unwavering in its commitment to supporting Votes at 16, and we will continue working to see it implemented as soon as possible.”