Jan 07 - Cameron: 18 Is Right Voting Age But I'm Open To Debate
In a move that will be closely followed by politicians in Gibraltar, David Cameron has signaled that 16- and 17-year olds may be allowed to vote in the next UK election in May even though his personal view remains that 18 "is the right age."
Mr Cameron said that he is happy for MPs to debate and vote on the matter during an answer given during Prime Minister’s Question Time earlier today.
"I thought the referendum campaign in Scotland did switch a whole lot of people onto politics and political issues because the question that was being asked was so important," Mr Cameron replied.
"Now we've said that we should respect the views of the Scottish Parliament [and] the Welsh Parliament and we will devolve those powers over voting age.
"In this House I'm very happy for us to have a vote. Personally I think the right age is 18, but I'm very happy to listen to the debate, to listen to the arguments and to put them forward."
The debate in Gibraltar was sparked in October last year when, after a meeting of the full Cabinet, the Government took the decision to propose extending the franchise at the next General Election to citizens from the age of 16.
Back then, the Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, said: "With the referendum in Scotland having included 16 year old voters, any future referenda in the UK and Gibraltar are likely to have such a franchise. As a result, it is clear to us that voting at General Elections should also be extended to those who are 16 years and over. Referenda can sometimes be even more important than General Elections and therefore, there is no reasonable argument to resist such a move in respect of Parliamentary Elections. I am, therefore, delighted that the Cabinet agreed with my view that voters should qualify for enfranchisement from the age of 16. It is something we will be putting to the next Select Committee of Parliament for final discussion before implementation. I sincerely hope this will enjoy cross-party support. The sixteen year olds who I know are responsible young adults who know what they want and what they stand for. They have a lot to contribute and their voice should be heard at election time!"
The GSD replied by arguing that, while it was not in principle against the idea of reducing the voting age from 18 to 16 years, it believed that the proposal should be the “subject of considered debate and consultation” amongst the wider community before it is acted upon.
The GSD stressed that community consultation is all the more necessary given that this initiative was not the policy of the parties in Government at the last election, did not feature in their manifesto “and therefore the Government cannot claim to have a mandate to change the voting age without considering the views of the community.”
