MPdebatesgiving voteto16-year-olds

Luke Graham, MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, took the case for a voting age of 16 to the UK Parliament last week.

Since visiting a number of schools in the constituency, Mr Graham brought the issue to Westminster.

Speaking after the debate, he said:“I am always impressed by the quality of questions and level of engagement whenever I meet students.

“Since being elected I have been touring the schools in the constituency and it is an issue which has come up time and again.

“What is clear is that not only is it an issue these students are passionate about, but their level of engagement with the issues of today also shows that they are ready for it too.”

Huw Sherrard MSYP, local Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament, said: “The campaign for votes at 16 is one that many young people strongly support and I’m glad that Luke Graham MP has joined his colleagues from across the benches in championing this cause.

“As Mr Graham pointed out during the debate, the reasonable and sensible way 16 and 17-year-olds have approached voting in Scotland should dispel any claims that the UK’s young people are somehow too immature or irresponsible for the right to vote.

“The way we should decide enfranchisement should be on how much those people contribute to our community and country, and I’m overjoyed that the experience of Ochil and South Perthshire’s young people in volunteering, education and employment has convinced Luke Graham MP to bring the voice of local young people to Westminster.”