Give 16s the right to vote, says MP

ALLOWING 16-year-olds to vote would engage more young people in politics, an MP has claimed.

Ashton MP David Heyes said research has consistently showed that 16 and 17-year-olds want to be allowed to vote.

The Labour MP, whose constituency includes Failsworth and Hollinwood, wants the UK to follow the lead of Jersey and the Isle of Man who have both reduced the voting age to 16.

At present, those aged 16 and 17 can legally fight for their country, marry and pay taxes, but they cannot vote in local or general elections.

Mr Heyes said: “It is something I have supported for a long time and it is an objective of the youth parliament.

“In this day and age when we are expecting our young people to have huge personal responsibilities, it is not right or tenable to deny them the right and chance to vote. I often find that the political judgement of some 16-year-olds is much sharper than many people significantly older than them.

“While it would be ideal for this to happen now, so close to the election I do not think it is possible, however, it should happen in the following election.”

The issue took centre stage in October when Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) publicly aired the concerns of young people around the UK, making history for being the first time anyone other than MPs have been allowed to use the House of Commons debating chamber in this way.

The MYPs, including two Chadderton teenagers Chantel Birtwistle and Charlotte Kilroy, voted on lowering the voting age to 16 as their top issue to fight for this year.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was “looking at the case for votes at 16”.

A lobby group, Votes at 16 Campaign, a coalition of organisations such as the Electoral Reform Society, the Children’s Society, Barnardo’s, the British Youth Council and the UK Youth Parliament, has been calling for the lowering for years.

Lib-Dem MP Jo Swinson who tabled the Commons motion said: “Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds can get married, take on full time jobs and pay taxes, so I believe it is only fair that they should have a say in how their taxes are spent.”