Bristol Lib Dems welcome announcement for votes at 16, but urge for further electoral reform
- The voting age will be lowered to 16 across the UK for the next general election, the government has confirmed.
- Liberal Democrats have campaigned for this reform for well over twenty years, with former Bristol West MP Stephen Williams having received support for the issue in Parliament in 2013.
- Bristol Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to go further and fix our broken electoral system by introducing fair votes for all.
Today, the Government announced plans to extend the right to vote in UK elections to 16-year-olds. Bristol Liberal Democrats welcome this move, but are calling for the Government to go further with electoral reform.
The Liberal Democrats have campaigned for votes at 16 for well over twenty years. Finally, the Government have heeded calls by campaigners and finally listened – promising the right to vote at 16 will be in place for the next General Election.
Cllr Stephen Williams, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Westbury-on-Trym and Henleaze, said:
“Votes at 16 is a no-brainer. It has worked well in Scotland and Wales and has ensured that young people are engaged in politics.
“It’s not right that up until now, 16- and 17-year-olds have been able to pay taxes and serve in the Armed Forces, but haven’t been able to have their say in elections.
“As the MP for Bristol West, I successfully passed a motion in the House of Commons in 2013 that called for votes at 16 in all elections. It passed with 119 votes in favour, showing the wide support for it amongst Parliament at the time.
“Now the Government has finally listened, they mustn’t stop there. There is still much to do to ensure that we have an electoral system that is fit for purpose in our country.
Cllr Andrew Varney, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Brislington West, said:
“The Labour government should be applauded for introducing these changes, which the Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for.
“However, once again the government is being far too timid, and the change this country really needs is proper electoral reform.
“Introducing proportional representation is essential to ensuring that everyone has a fair vote.
“It has wide support across the country, and is an important step to make sure that people feel they are represented.”
The Liberal Democrats passed a motion at Bristol City Council in November of last year, calling for votes at 16 as part of a wider call for electoral reform.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- Cllr Stephen Williams represents the ward of Westbury-on-Trym on Bristol City Council, and was previously the MP for Bristol West, 2005-2015.
- Cllr Andrew Varney represents the ward of Brislington West on Bristol City Council.
- In 2013, Stephen Williams presented a backbench motion to Parliament to allow persons aged 16 years or older to vote as electors at parliamentary and local government elections, and in referendums; and for connected purposes. MPs voted in favour of the proposal by 119 to 46. MPs support giving 16-year-olds the vote - BBC News
- Article about the Electoral Reform council motion in November 2024: Liberal Democrats Lead Bristol City Council to Call for Making Votes Fairer - Bristol Liberal Democrats