Minimum voting age

MPs have spent the day debating whether to lower the minimum voting age from 18 to 16.

Several other private members' bills were awaiting their turn in the Commons but were forced out as parliamentarians spent the entire day's proceedings debating the controversial proposed legislation, proposed by Labour backbencher Julie Morgan.

A key platform of her argument was the idea that young people should be more involved in politics – and that giving them the vote would encourage this.

Voter turnout among 18- to 24-year-olds in the 2005 election was just 37 per cent, but those opposing the bill pointed to an Electoral Commission study suggesting turnout would fall if the minimum age was lowered to 16.

Ms Morgan also pointed out that 16-year-olds are affected by political decisions. They can join the armed forces and thus be sent to war by the government. In further education, too, they have to pay tuition fees imposed by Labour ministers.

Ultimately her effort failed as the bill was 'talked out' of the Commons. MPs were still debating it when its allotted time in the Commons ran out, sending it to the bottom of the pile for next week's private member's bills. It has little chance of becoming legislation as a result.