A Labour government will give 16 and 17-year-olds the vote if they win the next election.
Ed Miliband revealed he was a long-standing supporter of lowering the voting age during a live-stream conversation on YouTube this evening.
When asked about the issue on Leaders Live Miliband explained that this year’s Scottish referendum illustrated that young people have a voice and deserve to be heard.
He said: “Young people are the future and that means they should actively shape our politics – we will give 16 year olds the vote,” he said.
JUST ANNOUNCED: A Labour government will give 16 year olds the vote #LeadersLive #YesEd pic.twitter.com/fo5YqBfm3j
— The Labour Party (@UKLabour) December 8, 2014
Leaders Live, supported by ITV News and Twitter, is the UK’s first live–stream conversation between national party leaders and the UK’s youngest voters.
Miliband also said that he would introduce a mansion tax on properties worth more than £2million to help fund the NHS, would ban ‘exploitative’ zero-hours contracts and will make sure that every young person is in a job or training.
His comments were largely welcomed on Twitter where people showed their support using the hashtag #YesEd.
Loving #LeadersLive and very pleased that @Ed_Miliband promises votes at 16 by May 2016 #YesEd to that 🙂
— Emma Daniel (@huxley06) December 8, 2014
So excited that Ed has just formally announced Votes at 16 to be one of the first things Labour will do in gov, fantastic stuff! #YesEd
— Grace Skelton (@graceskelton) December 8, 2014
I think Votes at 16 year olds is absolutely right. Where there is taxation there should be the chance of representation. #YesEd #LeadersLive
— Rob (@Robbiie__) December 8, 2014
This follows Nigel Farage’s appearance on the show last week where he appeared to be confused about UKIP’s sex education policy.
Image courtesy of BBC via YouTube, with
Video courtesy of ITV News and BITE via YouTube, with thanks
