Group 2: Extension of right to vote to persons aged 16 and 17, and associated electoral registration (Amendments 102, 3, 4, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 86, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 43, 125, 126, 101, 100)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:53 pm on 13 November 2019.

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Photo of Jenny Rathbone Jenny Rathbone Labour 4:53, 13 November 2019

Thank you very much. I heard earlier that you said that 16 and 17-year-olds weren't clamouring to vote. Well, my experience, I have to say, is different to yours. Because I find that those who are visiting the Senedd who are under 18 are very engaged and ask very pertinent questions and are often better informed than much older peers. I can share your concern about a reduction in the franchise actually taking part in elections, I agree that that is really serious, but I think that lowering the age to 16 is going to increase the numbers taking part, because 16-year-olds are still in compulsory education and therefore there will be a huge opportunity to explain to everybody just what is at stake here and why they should be taking part in these important elections.