Voting age cut to 16 for Holyrood election

SIXTEEN and 17-year-olds will be allowed to vote in next year’s Holyrood election, John Swinney confirmed yesterday.

The Deputy First Minister said the move would build on one of the “great strengths” of the independence referendum.

The franchise was extended to 16 and 17-year-olds for the first time in the historic vote on September 18 last year in a move now seen as a major success.

Whilst the voting age was kept at 18 for the general election, Holyrood has been given the power to lower the age for the Scottish election next year.

Swinney confirmed the law change would be in place in time for the vote on May 5.

He added: “The participation of 16 and 17-year-olds in the referendum has been remarked on as a successful initiative of the referendum.

“I think that that will be welcomed across the board.”

Swinney said the election of the SNP’s 20-year-old Paisley MP Mhairi Black “represents the achievements of young people who can participate effectively in the democratic process”.

The exchange came after Holyrood’s devolution committee voted to extend the franchise.

A survey of 16 and 17-yearolds found that 92 per cent of the 1252 respondents had voted in the referendum, with 74 per cent feeling they were “well” or “quite well” informed on the issues.

It also revealed that 36 per cent got involved in the campaign and joined a political party.

The SNP’s George Adam said: “We have always believed the right to vote should be extended to 16 and 17-year-olds.”

Scottish Labour’s Jackie Baillie added: “No debate about the future of our country should take place without the future of our country being involved.”

No debate about our country’s future should take place without our country’s future being involved JACKIE BAILLIE

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