Give 16 year olds the vote in Assembly elections - Eleanor Burnham
1.53.52pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 24th May 2006
Eleanor Burnham AM will today lead a debate in the Senedd calling for 16 year olds to be given the vote in order to engage young people in Welsh politics.
Mrs Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales said,
"We have already lost one generation of young people and we are about to lose another. After two Assembly elections turnout has dropped from 46% in 1999 to 38% in 2003. Research shows there is now a turnout generation gap across the democratic world.
"The question often asked is, why should we give young people the right to vote? This is wrong. The real question is why shouldn't we allow young people the vote?"
"Some senior politicians have said they would be willing to give 16 year olds the vote if they demanded it. If 50,000 16 year olds marched on Westminster the only thing they would get is an ASBO, not a ballot paper.
"Lowering the voting age is the natural progression in electoral reform. Wales should lead the way. Think what a difference allowing young people to vote in Assembly elections could have. And what is the risk? That we might just engage a few more people?"
Diwedd/Ends.
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