Commenting on the proposals to reduce the voting age, Stephen Williams said "My experience of visiting schools during three successive general elections has convinced me that 16 and 17 year olds are more than capable of engaging in political debate. Continuing to exclude young people from the political process gives out the message that society does not believe their views are valid and that young people are not real citizens.
"Young people are deemed responsible enough to pay taxes, to get married, to fight, and possibly die for their country, yet they are bizarrely not deemed responsible enough to help choose who governs. Citizenship is now an integral part of the national curriculum, preparing young people to make informed choices about their role in society. As we focus on making young people more responsible citizens we need to address the rights that go with these responsibilities"
