Power to the (young) People- Randerson

3.36.13pm GMT Tue 16th Jan 2007

Jenny Randerson AM has today backed the Welsh Liberal Democrat bid to reduce the voting age to 16 in an attempt to "engage younger adults and give them the voice they deserve."

Welsh Lib Dem Jenny Randerson said: "The time is right to lower the voting age for Assembly and council elections to 16. The Welsh Lib Dems will push for the powers to do this in Wales.

"When young people are offered the chance to engage in a process and exert real influence they can do so with a great level of maturity and understanding of the responsibility involved.

"We want to give 16 and 17 year olds the vote to make sure their views are heard by politicians. At that age you can already pay tax, get married, leave school and fight for your country but currently you are not old enough to vote.

"Giving young people the vote is a good start but we also need to make sure they're more informed about the process. Working with the electoral commission we will develop programmes to enhance political literacy amongst young people in school and college.

"In a period when many people throughout Wales appear to have given up on politics, it's time to remind everybody how important our freedom to vote is. It is important to remember that people in other parts of the world and in the past have risked their lives to vote.

"Our young people offer a vibrant and innovative approach to decision-making. We will permit community and town councils to co-opt up to two non-voting representatives from residents of the community aged between 16 and 25. We will enable children and young people to participate within community safety partnerships. More engagement means more accountability and better decision-making.

"Equality of opportunity and an inclusive society is a fundamental principle for the Welsh Liberal Democrats. Votes at 16 and a bigger say for young people in the running of their country is essential to a fairer and liberal Wales."

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Contact: Andrew Sherwood 02920 898324