Welsh vote is "vote of confidence" for young people.

12.00.00am GMT Wed 6th Feb 2008

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Children and Young people, today celebrated pushing through a motion by the Welsh Liberal Democrats on reducing the voting age to 16 in the National Assembly of Wales. The motion does not legally reduce the voting age to the Assembly and local elections in Wales but it does send an important message to Westminster that the people of Wales wants fairer representation for young people.

Ms Burnham said:

"I am absolutely delighted that we, as Welsh Liberal Democrats, pushed for this very important issue. I understand that the Assembly does not have the power to legally change the voting age but this decision today sends a very strong message to London that people of Wales want to see a reduction in the voting age"

"Disillusionment is a threat to a growing, healthy democracy. Exclusion in any form is the ally of disillusion. Give young people a stake in our democracy and we will empower and involve them in a productive way. Get people to vote while they are young and it could be the habit that they keep for the rest of their lives; leave it until they are 18 and we could lose them forever.

"We look to Westminster now to support the Private Members Bill currently going through to lower the voting age to 16 and I will press the government here to make sure they relay the Assembly's full backing on the issue."

Mike German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats added:

"Today, Wales has put down a marker. We believe in our young people, and we want them to play a full role in shaping the future of the country. By empowering young people, this Assembly will be putting our faith in them. This is a step closer to a significant reform."

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