Stephen Williams MP calls for votes at 16
November 15, 2005 1:32 PM
Stephen Williams, MP for Bristol West, is backing calls for lowering the voting age to 16 with the presentation of a private Bill to Parliament. In a keynote speech to an audience of young people at the London School of Economics at 1pm today, Charles Kennedy will back Mr Williams' bill, stating that by 16 people are ready to take part in choosing who governs them.
Commenting on the proposals to reduce the voting age, Stephen Williams said "My experience of visiting schools during three successive general elections has convinced me that 16 and 17 year olds are more than capable of engaging in political debate. Continuing to exclude young people from the political process gives out the message that society does not believe their views are valid and that young people are not real citizens.
"Young people are deemed responsible enough to pay taxes, to get married, to fight, and possibly die for their country, yet they are bizarrely not deemed responsible enough to help choose who governs. Citizenship is now an integral part of the national curriculum, preparing young people to make informed choices about their role in society. As we focus on making young people more responsible citizens we need to address the rights that go with these responsibilities"
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