The Green Party has advocated extending the right to vote and hold public office to 16 and 17 year-olds since mid-1970. All Green Party Councillors on the Stroud District Council were pleased to vote in favour of the motion to support the Votes at 16 Campaign at the Council meeting May 17.
Catherine Braun, Green Councillor from Wotton-under-Edge, said:
“It’s important that young people have a say in public life and that their aspirations for the future are considered. I strongly support 16 and 17 year olds being given the vote – to engage them in voting, and to strengthen participation in democracy and wider political debates. In my ward of Wotton-under-Edge, having worked with the local School Council and Youth Council, I know that 16 and 17 year olds are well informed and keen to make their voice heard.”
You can find details of the national Votes at 16 Campaign at http://www.votesat16.org/
Stroud Youth Forum members join District Councillors to celebrate the passage of the motion in support of the Votes at 16 Campaign.