HC Deb 10 March 2003 vol 401 cc18-20
24. Bob Spink (Castle Point)

What representations have been made to the commission regarding the reduction in age of voting to 16. [101630]

Mrs. Angela Browning (Tiverton and Honiton)

The commission has received representations directly from the votes at 16 campaign. It is also aware that a number of parliamentarians, political parties and independent bodies established to look into democratic engagement have supported moves to reduce the voting age to 16.

Bob Spink

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. I know that she shares with me an appreciation of the importance of encouraging young people to participate in the voting process. Will she share with the House the strategies that the commission is adopting to increase the participation rate? Does she agree that while reduction of the voting age is an important matter, it should be considered very carefully?

Mrs. Browning

I am happy to advise my hon. Friend that the commission has been involved closely with the work led by the Government's children and young people's unit to examine the cause of political disengagement among young people, and to find solutions to these problems. The commission now chairs a group of non-governmental organisations involved in encouraging participation by young people, the main focus of which is to ensure that recommendations from the CYPU report are taken forward by those to whom they are directed. The commission also published in July 2002 the results of a research project analysing the factors motivating young people in their electoral behaviour, and will continue to target young people through its advertising and PR campaigns and wider outreach programmes.

John Cryer (Hornchurch)

I acknowledge what the hon. Lady said. Does she agree that when 16 and 17-year-olds can pay taxes, work, pay national insurance and join the armed forces, there can be no logical reason why they cannot vote, too?

Mrs. Browning

The hon. Gentleman may be interested to know that, on 27 February, the commission announced the start of work on a review of the minimum age for voting and candidacy in public elections in the United Kingdom. The timetable for that review envisages a period of consultation over the summer of 2003, with publication of a final report, with recommendations, in early 2004. The hon. Gentleman may want to make the point that he has made to the House this afternoon in response to that consultation—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. Can we have some order in the House?