Local Lib Dems show support as votes at 16 law progresses

Local Lib Dem councillors have shown their support as government plans to give 16 and 17-year-olds the vote progress.

The Representation of the People Bill, the law making these changes, is scheduled to reach its next stage in the House of Commons on the 2nd March. By extending the vote to over 16s, the plans pave the way to an extra 1.5 million potential voters on the electoral roll.

The proposed plan to give the vote to 16 and 17-year-olds would be the biggest change to the electorate since 1969, which is when the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18. The government has announced that they are aiming for the changes to be in force for the next general election.

The topic was raised at a full meeting of Huntingdonshire District Council on the 25th February, with the cabinet member responsible for democratic services, Cllr Jo Harvey, being asked if the council is prepared for the proposed changes and how the council would communicate with young people about the changes to ensure they were engaged during the changes. Cllr Harvey (Lib Dem) responded that the council is well prepared for the proposed changes and will be engaging with young residents at schools and clubs to make young people aware. The council will also be working with the Electoral Commission to ensure that HDC’s messaging is in line with national messaging.

The government’s plans have been supported by local Liberal Democrats, who say the changes are long overdue.

Cllr Nathan Hunt, Huntingdonshire's youngest councillor and former vice chair of the UK-wide Young Liberals, said: “I’m incredibly pleased that this change is moving forward and it's something that Liberal Democrats were calling for before I was born!”

“When I was 16, I was working and paying tax - meaning I was being taxed without representation, which shouldn't be the case for anyone. 16-year-olds can get a full time job, join the armed forces, and contribute to our local economy, so they deserve a say at the ballot box.”

“I’m incredibly proud of the role I've played as HDC’s youngest councillor - from making venues safer by introducing Ask for Angela, to helping to protect the £1 Tiger bus pass. With over 16s gaining the vote, they'll get a bigger voice on the issues that matter to them and I'm looking forward to that.”