Steve Beasant

Earlier today, I received an email from the campaign group Votes at 16 Coalition – the organisation is wide ranging coalition of political parties, and other organisations seeking to change the voting age for the first time since 1969 – when it was reduced from 21 to 18. I do hope that you will read the email below:

5th – 11th March is the Votes at 16 campaign Action Week and we need you to help us shout about it. 

From the 5th – 11th March we want as many of you as possible to make some noise about the Votes at 16 campaign, to raise awareness, drum-up support and most importantly, collect signatures for the Votes at 16 e-petition.
 
We need you to help us make votes at 16 a reality by tweeting, posting on facebook, holding events, putting up notices and generally hassling everyone you know to get online and sign the petition!
 
Visit the Votes at 16 website to learn about all the different things you can do to support the campaign during Votes at 16 Action Week.
 
For those of you who want to go the extra mile to make Votes at 16 happen, you can sign up to be a Votes at 16 petition champion. We will send you a champion pack with a ten-top-tips sheet, stickers and flyers to help you on your way to getting as many signatures as possible. This is a unique volunteering opportunity that will give you great experience in face-to-face campaigning, so if you think you’ve got what it takes, email votesat16@byc.org.uk to ask for your pack. Those who collect the most signatures will be recognised by the Votes at 16 Coalition at a unique event in the UK Parliament.

Yours,

www.votesat16.org.uk

The Liberal Democrats have a long history of supporting a reduction in the voting to 16, and in 2009, Liberal Democrat MP for East Dunbartonshire Jo Swinson said: “Young people aged 16 and 17 often have a lot of responsibilities, and are increasingly asked to make many big life decisions at that age. I meet many 16 and 17 year olds in East Dunbartonshire, and they are thoughtful, responsible people who are perfectly capable of making an informed decision about who they believe should govern the country.

“Sixteen year olds can take on full time jobs and pay taxes, so I believe it is only fair that they should have a say in how their taxes are spent.

“It is unfortunate that young people in this country often feel that society has quite a negative attitude towards them, and that has to change. I believe the best way to ensure that young people are valued and their views are taken into account is to directly engage them in the process of running our communities. I trust young people to make responsible decisions for our future, which is why I am calling on the government to lower the voting age to 16.”