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| Cllr Austin Sheridan |
DISAPPOINTMENT AT LACK OF SUPPORT FOR VOTES AT 16 CAMPAIGN
The Glasgow City Council SNP Group’s youngest member, Councillor Austin Sheridan, today led calls for young people aged 16 and over to be given the vote. Councillor Sheridan, formerly a MSYP (Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament) and supporter of the Votes at 16 campaign, tabled a motion to Glasgow’s Full Council calling on the Council to support the proposal.
Speaking after the debate, Councillor Sheridan said:
“Votes at 16 is an issue of vital importance to young people, who often feel they have no say in society. The Votes at 16 campaign is a cross-Party movement which is seeking to bring the franchise to those aged 16 and 17.
“Young people can be married, pay tax and fight for their country but cannot vote to influence decisions that affect their lives. This is wrong and my motion seeks to get the support of Glasgow City Council to press for the change that so many young people want and need.
“The Scottish Government has already taken steps – where they are able – to bring young people into the political process. Countries such as Germany, Austria and Norway have also made strides in extending the franchise.
“Glasgow Labour today failed to show support for the campaign, instead hiding behind calls for more discussion but no action. Labour failed to demonstrate their desire to right a real injustice in our society”.
Commenting Humza Yousaf MSP said:
“I congratulate Councillor Austin Sheridan for bringing this important motion forward for debate. There is a cross party consensus amongst the SNP, Labour, Lib Dems and Greens that there should be voting equality for our young people. It is perverse that we live in a society where we expect our 16 year olds to pay tax for national services but have no say in how those are run.
“It is therefore disappointing that the Labour Party in particular has chosen to betray young people in this way. They have backed votes for 16 year olds previously - including in the AV referendum - and have signed pledges to commit them to voting for votes at 16. They have chosen to put petty party politics before their own policies and Glasgow's young people have lost out. On a national level the SNP will continue to pursue this issue and bring voting equality for Scotland's youth.”
“It is therefore disappointing that the Labour Party in particular has chosen to betray young people in this way. They have backed votes for 16 year olds previously - including in the AV referendum - and have signed pledges to commit them to voting for votes at 16. They have chosen to put petty party politics before their own policies and Glasgow's young people have lost out. On a national level the SNP will continue to pursue this issue and bring voting equality for Scotland's youth.”
ENDS
For further comment, please contact Councillor Austin Sheridan on 07881 282636.
Notes:
- The text of the motion can be found here:http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/councillorsandcommittees/agenda.asp?meetingid=11933
- The motion is to be proposed by Cllr Austin Sheridan (SNP) and seconded by Cllr Liam Hainey (Green)
- The Votes at 16 campaign can be found here: http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/votesat16
- The Scottish Youth Parliament can be found here: http://www.syp.org.uk/
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