This week during Cabinet Questions I asked why 16 and 17 year old's haven’t been given the right to vote. I believe that the UK voting age should be lowered to allow younger people to engage in politics and encourage them to get more involved. Currently many young people do not vote which is a shame as through my work with schools, I have spoken to many 16 and 17 year old's with brilliant ideas and points of view about the society they want to live in. Only through participation will we be able to unlock a new generation of politics.

It is disappointing that 16 and 17 year old's still haven’t been given the right to vote, especially when the legal age to join the British army is 16. If you are willing to sacrifice your life for your country at 16 and 17, surely you are old enough to be given the vote.

I believe strongly in this and it is disappointing that the minister did not agree with me. It is true that most of the free world does not give the vote until the age of 18, surely it is time for the UK to take the lead. 

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