VOTING AGE OF 16

That this House welcomes the Prime Minister's confirmation that he would support lowering the voting age to 16 years; notes that in the eyes of the law young people aged 16 years can take on full-time jobs, pay taxes and become parents; further notes that a recent report by the Electoral Reform Society shows that polling of 16 and 17 year-olds consistently shows that a majority want the voting age lowered to 16 years; recognises that the UK Youth Parliament voted for lowering the voting age to 16 years as their top campaign priority of the year after debating in the House of Commons Chamber; acknowledges that Jersey and the Isle of Man have both introduced a reduction in the voting age to 16 years, setting a predecent for the UK to follow; and urges the Government to introduce a bill to lower the voting age to 16 years before the next General Election.