Citizenship and Political Engagement Among Young People: The Workings and Findings of the Youth Citizenship Commission

In 2008, the Labour government established the Youth Citizenship Commission (YCC). The (independent) Commission, staffed by individuals of varying backgrounds and serviced by the Ministry of Justice, was asked to examine how young people define citizenship and to explore how that citizenship might better be connected to political activity. Additionally, the YCC was required to lead a consultation on whether the voting age should be lowered. From the perspective of two participants, this article examines the key debates which exercised the YCC and discusses some of its most important recommendations, but also looks at its workings. Could the Commission (or other independent Commissions) operate differently in terms of evidence-gathering, deliberations, recommendations or implementation of proposals?