No 10 dismisses success of youth vote motion
Downing Street has dismissed the success of a motion calling for the voting age to be lowered to 16.
The proposal from Lib Dem MP Stephen Williams was passed by the Commons today, 119 votes to 46. But the Prime Minister's official spokesman said the Government "has no plans whatsoever to change the voting age".
Writing for Central Lobby this morning, Mr Williams said allowing 16 and 17 year-olds to vote would be a “vital step in the renewal of Britain’s democracy”.
"The time has come for a vital step in the renewal of Britain’s democracy. Giving the right to vote to sixteen and seventeen year olds now has widespread support across the political spectrum," he said.
Sadiq Khan, Labour’s spokesman on constitutional reform, pledged to support the motion, which he said would begin the process of “rebalancing” the way the UK is governed.