CABLE SUPPORT FOR LOWER VOTING AGE WELCOMED

CABLE SUPPORT FOR LOWER VOTING AGE WELCOMED
LIB DEM REFERENDUM SPLITS REFUSE TO GO AWAY
SNP MSP Aileen Campbell has welcomed comments by Vince Cable in which he supports lowering the voting age.
Setting out his programme for democratic renewal in the Mail on Sunday the Lib Dem Treasury Spokesperson said:
“Involve young people. Large numbers of teenagers, students, and young families take little interest in politics. The future of Britain is being decided by older voters, not those who will inherit it. One step should be to extend the vote to 16 year olds. If people are old enough to work and pay taxes, get married and die for their country surely they should be old enough to vote.”

Constitution Minister Michael Russell last week stated in a letter to Ms Campbell that the SNP Government intends to include votes for 16 and 17 year olds in the bill for a referendum on Scotland’s constitutional future.

Divisions amongst the Lib Dems over Scotland’s right to decide her own constitutional future surfaced at the party’s conference yesterday.

South of Scotland MSP Aileen Campbell said:
“On this issue, Vince Cable is right. Unfortunately, the Lib Dem are currently refusing to support anyone of any age having a say over Scotland’s future.

“Whether arguing yes or no, the referendum campaign will energise Scotland, and all parties should support the principle of encouraging a new generation to get involved with the political process.

“It is clear from the splits in the Lib Dems that there is strong support for a referendum and strong support for young people to have their say.

“Opposition parties talk about democratic renewal and encouraging young people to vote – the SNP is actually delivering that vote.

“Scotland’s pilot health board elections will see 16 and 17 year olds given the vote for the first time and our referendum proposal would give all people in Scotland, including young people, a direct say over the future of their nation.

“The reaction from opposition parties to the Scottish Government’s proposal has been panicky and hypocritical. Whatever constitutional future you support, a referendum campaign would be an exciting opportunity to engage young people in politics and no party should let that opportunity pass.”