Schedule 1 Amendments
Electoral Administration Bill
11:00 am
Brian Binley (Northampton South, Conservative)
I shall see you later, sir.
Rumours are flying around the House that I have been appointed president of the “votes for foetuses” organisation, which I totally refute. This is a serious debate about why we should allow our citizens a vote at a certain age. I agree with the hon. Member for Belfast, East (Mr. Robinson) that the case to lower the age to 16 has not been made. We are talking about an arbitrary age. Any age would fit the arguments that have been advanced. The point about the age of 14 is fair. Is that the next stage of a process that has been going on for many years? Do we then move to 12? I have not heard the argument that we should change the age to 16 simply because people become 16. That is the important point.
The hon. Member for Belfast, East mentioned jury service, which I particularly want to discuss. The two might not be allied. I might be totally wrong—