Kennedy calls for votes at 16

In a keynote speech today to young people, Charles Kennedy has called for young people to given more respect by politicians, and made a call for the voting age to be lowered to 16 so that more youngsters can take part in elections and have a direct say in policies. Local Lib Dem campaigner Sam Matthews has strongly welcomed the call as reaffirming the Party's strong commitment to treating young people with respect.

In an address to the London School of Economics, the Liberal Democrat leader argued that young people must be brought into the political process with incentives, rather than lectured by the political class.

In his 'real power, real responsibility' speech, he argued that the government's 'respect' agenda must be about giving as well as receiving.

Young people are "liberal - socially and economically", he said.

Mr Kennedy said citizenship lessons at school are being undermined by keeping the voting age at 18. "At 16, this Labour government is quite happy to take your taxes, to let you raise a family, to let you join the Army - but not to let you vote. "

"Well, I say what about that right to vote going with those responsibilities? I say that, by 16, people are ready to vote, ready to make their personal choice and ready to take part in choosing who governs them."

Sam Matthews has welcomed the support for young peoples rights, including votes at 16. He said:

"As a relatively young person myself, I know how it feels to have been, until fairly recently, excluded from making decisions or having my say in elections. Decisions made by politicians locally and nationally impact on the life of 16 year olds - from their environment, to their education and how they are treated by the police and wider society."