South Lakes MP backs Votes at 16 campaign
South Lakes MP Tim Farron has today backed calls for lowering the voting age to 16.
In a recent poll over two thirds (73%) of 16 and 17 year-olds believe they should have been allowed to vote in the recent elections and referendum on the 5th May. Furthermore, over 73% of young people surveyed said that, if they could vote, they would turn out to have their say.
Local MP Tim Farron said "My experience of visiting schools and chatting to young people has shown what a worthwhile cause this is. 16 and 17 year olds are as politically engaged and committed to making the difference as everyone else. I want the government to seriously look at Votes at 16 and see if we can give young people throughout the South Lakes the vote.
"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."