Voting age should be lowered to 16

5.35.25pm GMT Tue 29th Nov 2005

Stephen Williams, Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West, will today present his Private Member's Bill, Representation of the People (Reduction in voting age), to Parliament.

Commenting, Mr Williams said:

"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, but yet they are not deemed responsible enough to choose a government.

"Citizenship is now an integral part of the national curriculum, preparing young people to make informed choices about their role in society. As well as focusing on making young people into more responsible citizens we also need to address the rights that go with these responsibilities"