Stephen Williams MP welcomes Chancellor's support for votes at 16

8.18.30pm GMT Mon 27th Feb 2006

Stephen Williams MP, Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West, has welcomed the news that Gordon Brown appears to support the voting age being lowered to 16, following the release of a report by the Power Inquiry which includes recommendations to allow 16 and 17 year olds the vote.

Mr Williams is an active supporter of the campaign to reduce the voting age. On Monday 27th February he tabled a House of Commons motion commending the Isle of Man's recent decision to reduce the voting age to 16. Last November he introduced a Private Member's Bill to do the same in the United Kingdom.

Responding to the inquiry and the Chancellor's comments, Mr Williams said "This report shows that there is an urgent need to re-engage the British people with democracy. This includes engaging responsible and intelligent young people through an extension of the electoral franchise.

"Although the government has previously declined to support votes at 16, this turnaround by someone widely regarded as the PM in waiting is very welcome. Young people are deemed responsible enough to pay taxes, get married, to fight for their country, yet they are inexplicably not deemed responsible enough to help choose who governs the country.

"The Isle of Man was the first country to allow women the vote in parliamentary elections. It is about time that Britain seriously looked at once again following a progressive lead."

The full text of Stephen Williams' Early Day Motion is:

"That this House commends the decision by the House of Keys to reduce the voting age from 18 to16 in the Isle of Man; believes this will help engage the island's young adult population with democracy and the political process; notes that in 1881 the Isle of Man became the first place in the world to give women the vote in a Parliamentary election, and calls on the government, in line with the recent recommendation made in the 'Power Inquiry' report, to once again follow the Isle of Man's lead with a progressive extension of the electoral franchise to include 16 and 17 year olds."

Stephen Williams MP introduced a 10 minute rule bill "Representation of the People (Reduction in voting age)" on Tuesday 29th November. You can read the full text of Stephen's speech by following the 'Speech' link on the left.