Several Liberal Democrat MPs reasserted their firm support for extending the franchise to 16 and 17 year-olds but followed the party whip in voting against this particular amendment.
Labour MP Natascha Engel described her amendment as a ‘unique opportunity’ and said extending entitlement to participate in the referendum would show ‘that when 16 year-olds take part in an election, democracy does not crumble and sky does not cave in; indeed, it might strengthen democracy’.
Individuals can register to vote in general and local elections at 16 and this is the age when individuals are required to pay income tax and National Insurance, they can give full consent to medical treatment, work full-time, marry or enter a civil partnership.
Many MPs stressed the political interest and activism of young people, including within trades unions. Several described being very frustrated in their own youth at being denied the vote. Former Labour Children's Minister Dawn Primarolo referred to the continuing ban on young people voting in elections as ‘the last act of discrimination that we really need to get rid of’. She said Engel’s amendment was ‘a fantastic opportunity’ to widen the franchise.
The Votes at 16 coalition, which strongly backed Engel’s amendment, is now planning to build on the growing Parliamentary support for extending the franchise. Susan Nash, NUS Vice President (Society and Citizenship) says:
This is the best debate there’s ever been in Parliament about votes at 16. Only one MP derided the idea of young people being allowed to participate in the democratic process. The mood has clearly changed and it’s only a matter of time before the ban is lifted on 16 and 17 year-olds voting in elections.