Stuart McMillan MSP SNP and Member of the Scottish Parliament Referendum Committee has welcomed the passage of legislation to enable 16 and 17 year olds to vote in next year’s referendum.
Yesterday’s vote on stage 3 of the Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill was overwhelmingly backed in the Scottish Parliament by 103 votes to 12.
The SNP Government have long been in favour of giving 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote in all elections and has already made this possible in elections it has the power to change the franchise of such as health board elections. The power to enable 16 and 17 year olds to vote in local government and Scottish Parliament elections remains reserved to Westminster.
Mr McMillan said:
“This is truly a momentous day, irrespective of which side of the debate members are campaigning for, as it will shatter the ceiling placed on 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland. Next year’s referendum will allow 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote and, as Donald Dewar once said, I like the sound of that.
“When 16 and 17 year olds can pay taxes, get married and joined the armed forces, it is only right and fair that they should also be entitled to vote.
“Next year, 16 and 17-year-olds—and all Scotland—will have an important choice to make. Will we choose hope over fear? Prosperity over austerity? Responsibility in Holyrood over the irresponsibility of Westminster?
“The Scottish Parliament is maturing. We are ready and prepared to take the next step on our journey towards becoming a normal independent country, and 16 and 17-year-olds will play their part in that process.”
Scottish Government release - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2013/06/franchise-bill27062013
No comments:
Post a Comment