CHAMPIONING young people in Parliament and campaigning to lower the voting age earned Oldham MP Jim McMahon a national award.

The Oldham West and Royton MP was shortlisted alongside Mayor for Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Elizabeth Harding, CEO of Youth Focus North West, for the Youth Voice Champion Award at the inaugural Youth Voice Star Award.

The awards celebrate the breadth and diversity of work happening across the UK to promote young people’s voices with the award ceremony recognising the work of youth workers, change makers, organisations and projects locally and nationally.

Mr McMahon, a long supporter of the votes at 16 campaign, recently worked alongside the Oldham Youth Council to campaign on this issue in Parliament with his Private Members Bill.

Despite the bill ultimately running out of time in the Chamber following a brief debate on November 3, he has vowed to continue campaigning to lower the voting age.

Mr McMahon said: “It is a real honour to receive this award, and an even greater honour to have been nominated by our hard working Oldham Youth Council.

“I believe in giving a stronger voice to young people up and down the country, and the best voice is the vote. It’s why I continue to campaign to lower the voting age.

“I’d also like to thank the British Youth Council for the award, and for all their work on votes at 16 campaign."

Anna Barker, Chair, British Youth Council said: "It’s so important we pause to celebrate the huge amounts amazing work happening across the country.

“Young people across the country are standing up for the issues that they’re passionate about voluntarily and it’s essential we recognise not only them but the youth workers behind them, the decision makers championing them and of course the organisations enabling to happen.”