It is my opinion that young people should be given the opportunity to turn out and use their vote at 16.  The voting age was last reduced in 1969. Since then, there have been major changes in society’s expectations of young people, and in young people’s contribution to their local communities and wider society.

Currently, 16 and 17 year-olds can work, pay taxes, get married and join the armed forces – but they are not allowed to elect those who govern them.  As a result, according to a recent British Social Attitudes survey, where a decade ago 38 per cent of 12 to 19-year-olds had at least some interest in politics, now the figure is 31 per cent and a further 68 per cent have little or no interest at all. This is not a healthy indicator for life as fully engaged citizens.

The Electoral Commission’s public consultation on voting age found that 72% of respondents favoured a voting age of 16.   This consultation attracted huge participation including 8,000 young people.  In addition, according to a poll conducted by MORI 60% of people aged 16 or under would support the reform, which suggests that when it is made relevant to them, young people are much more likely to vote and engage in issues of public importance.

If the Government is to deliver sustainable communities successfully then it must ensure that all members of the community, including young people, are engaged in the process.  New Labour has engaged in a broadside on young people with its Respect Agenda, and whilst many of its policy initiatives are welcome, one cannot help but feel that if our relationship with young people was governed with as much respect towards them as we would expect towards us, then the justice of extending the voting age to 16 would be recognised.

Jo Swinson MP has actively campaigned for votes at 16. In the Liberal Democrat, Policy Paper (September, 2007) For the People, By the People she notes: “a reduction in the voting age to 16, to overlap with citizenship education in schools, will help to bridge the gap between teaching about citizenship and exercising its rights and obligations”.

 A complete copy of “For the People, By the People” can be obtained from:

:http://www.libdems.org.uk/media/documents/policies/PP83_constitutional_Sep07.pdf