Tim Backs Youth Involvement In EU Referendum

Tim Farron MP has reiterated his support for votes at 16 in the EU referendum, following an amendment by Liberal Democrat Lords.

Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords voted yesterday to amend the European Referendum Bill, to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote. However, the government has suggested it will seek to reverse this amendment when the bill returns to the Commons.

Last September, 16 and 17 year olds were given the vote in the referendum to decide whether Scotland would remain part of the United Kingdom.

The government has promised a vote on Britain's continued membership of the EU before the end of 2017, although many expect the vote to take place during 2016. An exact date has not yet been announced.

Tim said: "The EU referendum will have a huge impact on the country's future, and it is absolutely right that 16 and 17 year olds should be allowed to participate and have a say on what sort of country they want to live in.

"I regularly meet with young people and students here in South Lakeland, and am always struck by how thoughtful their questions and reflections are. It is very clear that they care deeply about their communities. It is wrong for the government to suggest that these young people are responsible enough to serve in the Armed Forces, be married and pay tax, but not to vote."