MP begins campaign to lower voting age to 16

Hove and Portslade MP Peter Kyle yesterday presented his Private Member's Bill on lowering the voting age to 16.
Peter Kyle MPPeter Kyle MP
Peter Kyle MP

The Labour MP said: “I was proud to present a Private Member’s Bill to lower the voting age to 16.

“Right now, we are all missing out on the wisdom, insight, and experience of 16 and 17 year olds, and it’s time for parliament to do the right thing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We cannot go on making decisions that will profoundly affect the lives of young people into the future while they sit on the sidelines watching on in despair.

“My bill has the support of a former cabinet minister, three former ministers in total, two current select committee chairs, and MPs from across the House.

“The bill is also supported by youth organisations from the British Youth Council to Debate Mate right through to the NUS. No more proof is needed that this is an issue whose time has come.

“The Bill... will do three things. Firstly, it will lower the voting age to 16. Secondly, it will ensure that all young people are automatically added to the voting register. And thirdly, it will provide that every educational establishment with a certain number of eligible voters has a polling station situated there on election days.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The campaign that will unfold around this bill will show off the warmth, wisdom, and insight of young people. By the time we’re done no-one will be left in doubt that these are people who have more than earned the right to, and are ready to shoulder the responsibility that comes with, participating in our democracy.”

Related topics: