16 AND 17 YEAR OLDS WIN SAY ON SCOTLAND’S POLITICAL FUTURE.

16 AND 17 YEAR OLDS WIN SAY ON SCOTLAND’S POLITICAL FUTURE.

The SNP Government has announced that it intends to allow 16-and 17-year-olds a vote in a referendum on Scotland’s constitutional future.

In a letter to South of Scotland MSP Aileen Campbell, Constitution Minister Michael Russell MSP said: “I can confirm that it is the Scottish Government's intention that 16- and 17-year-olds are given the opportunity to vote in the referendum that decides Scotland’s future to the extent that this is practicable. A you rightly point out in your letter, franchise issues are not devolved but reserved to the UK Parliament so the specific legislation will have to address this issue. It is my intention to make provisions to this effect in the Referendum Bill that essentially reflect the approach taken for the elections to NHS Boards in Scotland.” The Scottish Parliament endorsed plans to give 16- and 17-year-olds the vote in the Health Board Elections, which are to be piloted next spring in NHS Dumfries & Galloway and NHS Fife. The SNP Government has said it will bring forward a bill to the Parliament in the coming year to let the people decide Scotland’s constitutional future. Aileen Campbell contacted the minister after being approached by a 16-year-old constituent. Commenting, South of Scotland MSP, Aileen Campbell said: “I was very happy to write to the Scottish Government after a young constituent raised the issue of votes at 16 in the referendum with me, and I’m also very happy with the positive reply from the Constitution Minister. “Taking Scotland on the road to independence through a referendum is all about increasing democracy and accountability in Scotland – so it simply makes sense that 16- and 17- year olds have their say too – it is after all, their generation that will be mostly affected by Scotland’s decision. “16- and 17-year-olds have to pay tax, can serve in the armed forces and even get married. If they are deemed responsible enough to make these very important decisions, they deserve the right to have their say on the future of the nation. “It is SNP party policy that we enfranchise Scotland’s young adults and I am delighted our Scottish Government is following through on that. It is a lesson the Westminster Government should learn for national elections. “Whether arguing yes or no the referendum campaign will be an exciting time for Scottish politics and I hope all parties will support using this to encourage a whole generation to get involved with the political process” 16-year-old Euan, from Carluke, who raised the issue with Ms Campbell is delighted at the news: “This is a brilliant response from Mike Russell, and I’m really pleased the Scottish Government has listened to my idea. I hope that I along with my friends who are 16 or 17 will be able to vote in a referendum on Scotland’s future next year “Young people across Scotland want to see the country moving forward and have their say on our country’s future. Lots of 16-year-olds already pay taxes, and it’s my generation that will have to live in the kind of Scotland people vote for in a referendum”.