Dundee LibDems support votes at 16 (Dundee Liberal Democrats)

Dundee Liberal Democrats <info@dundeelibdems.org.uk>

Dundee LibDems support votes at 16

November 9, 2006 10:26 AM

Dundee Liberal Democrats today (Thursday 9th November) welcomed the comments in Parliament earlier this week by Jo Swinson MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, that UK politics would benefit from sixteen-year-olds being given the right to vote and to stand as candidates.

Speaking at Westminster on Monday, Jo Swinson said, "Allowing young people both to vote and stand as candidates aged 16 would give them a stake in the political process at a younger age.

"The whole political system in this country would benefit hugely from a generation of young people growing up having established a 'voting habit' when young."

Here in Dundee, LibDem local party secretary Michael Charlton said, "It is absolutely wrong that young adults aged 16 and 17 pay taxes but don't have the right to vote or stand for parliament. This ageist policy should end and there should be votes at 16."