PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Sovereignty: Scotland (8 June 2015)
Question Asked
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the benefits of enabling 16 and 17 year olds to vote in the Scottish Referendum in 2014.
Asked by:
Mr Toby Perkins (Labour)
Asked by:
Mr Toby Perkins (Labour)
Answer
On 18 September last year, the people of Scotland, including tens of thousands of 16 and 17 year olds, made the historic decision to remain a part of the United Kingdom. Evidence suggests that 84.6% of the electorate voted in the referendum, compared to 75% of registered 16 and 17 year olds.
Following that vote, and in line with the agreement from the all-party Smith Commission, the previous Government devolved to the Scottish Parliament the power to legislate to reduce the minimum voting age to 16 at Scottish Parliament and Scottish local government elections.
Answered by:
David Mundell (Conservative)
11 June 2015
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