Sarah Champion calls for voting age cut

She called a Parliamentary debate and told young people in the public gallery that the time was right to open up democracy to those of a younger age.

Ms Champion said: “Sixteen-year-olds can legally become parents, but they raise their children in a society in which they cannot have a say.

“They can legally go to work and contribute to our economy but are not allowed a say in what our economic policy should be.

“Perhaps most starkly of all, we let 16-year-olds join our armed forces and thus represent our country, but do not respect them enough to give them a say in our defence policy.”

After the debate, Ms Champion added: “Voting at 16 isn’t just about the contradictions over whether or not young people are adults.

“It’s about showing young people they are a welcome part of society and their opinions matter and it’s about making politicians more accountable to young people.

“Political engagement is at an all time low, and this is a great opportunity to get young people interested in politics for the future.

“Voting at 16 should be backed by better political education for young people, through their citizenship classes at school.

“We can teach politically neutral education, the same way we see with religious studies. “This is about empowering young people to become active and engaged, and know that their voice counts.”

Rotherham Youth Cabinet member Toni Paxford said: “People sometimes forget that young people can contribute just as much as, or sometimes more than some adults.

“MPs should remember that Votes at 16 isn’t about what signals giving the vote sends, as much as the lack of appreciation you feel by not being given the vote.”