Burnham backs Morgan in Westminster on votes at 16.

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 4th Jun 2008

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Children and Young people, will be backing Julie Morgan's Private Member's Bill to lower the voting age to 16 on Friday. Eleanor Burnham successfully pushed a motion through the Assembly to send a powerful message to Westminster that the people of Wales want fairer representation for young people.

Rhodri Morgan, Welsh First Minister and husband of Mrs. Morgan and AMs from all parties voted for the Welsh Liberal Democrat motion to reduce the voting age last February.

Ms Burnham, North Wales AM, said:

"I was 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 the decision last February does send 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."

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