Greens call for younger voting age

Setting out the start of their General Election campaign, the Green Party have called for new legislation to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote on 8 June.

Launching its election campaign launch in Bristol, the Greens, who will place free education, a living wage for all and investment in mental health services as top priorities, have argued that the 1.5 million young people who would be eligible to vote if 16 and 17-year-olds were given a vote deserve to have there voices heard.

The Scottish independence referendum of 2014 returned higher turnout in 16 and 17-year-olds, than 18 to 24-year olds.

With June’s election considered as carrying extra importance due to the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, the Green Party claim that young people need the opportunity to ‘decide what kind of nation we want to be’.

Caroline Lucas, co-leader of the party, said: “Everything is at stake right now. Our relationship with Europe, our border policies, our position on the world stage – voters will be given the chance to decide what kind of nation we want to be.

“Theresa May should give Britain’s 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds – the first generation to have received citizenship education – a say in what will very much be their future. The Government should urgently change the law to expand the electorate – using the remaining parliamentary time to truly hand people control.”