"Government has no view" on votes for 16 year olds - Burnham on Counsel General (Eleanor Burnham )

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Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

"Government has no view" on votes for 16 year olds - Burnham on Counsel General

January 30, 2008 12:00 AM

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Children and Young people, was today disgusted that the most senior legal advisor to the Welsh Assembly government said that the government did "not have a view" on votes for 16 year olds. At a time when a great proportion of 18-25 year olds are not voting in elections, young adults need to be engaged on issues that affect them.

Ms Burnham said:

"Young people need to be encouraged to take part in democracy - not keep out of it. Some people, like me, are in favour of lowering the voting age and some are against, both sides have reasoned arguments. However, the Counsel General's comment today was shocking because it shows that the Labour/Plaid Government is refusing to engage on issues that would affect many children in Wales. They are the government, they should have a view.

"I really believe that the voting age should be lowered to 16 provided that we have a much better education programme teaching children about citizenship, government, the state and other issues they need to know about when they enter the adult world.

"If young people have an understanding of the political situation, from local government to the European Parliament, young people would be more compelled to vote and vote for people who represent their views."

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