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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| MPs to back Scottish young voters plan | MPs to back Scottish young voters plan |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Moves to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in future Scottish Parliament elections are set to take a step forward. | |
| The House of Commons will be asked to back a move which would allow Holyrood to have the final say on the matter. | |
| MSPs are thought to be overwhelmingly in favour of including young voters in future Scottish elections. | |
| However, the process will not apply to UK general elections. | |
| It is expected that the 2016 Scottish parliament vote will see the franchise extended to everyone over the age of 16. | |
| The transfer of powers to lower the voting age is being carried out through what is known as a section 30 order. | The transfer of powers to lower the voting age is being carried out through what is known as a section 30 order. |
| Prime Minister David Cameron has said he is personally opposed to votes for those under the age of 18. | Prime Minister David Cameron has said he is personally opposed to votes for those under the age of 18. |
| But he agreed during a meeting with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in December that it was appropriate for Holyrood to decide. | But he agreed during a meeting with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in December that it was appropriate for Holyrood to decide. |
| Downing Street agreement | Downing Street agreement |
| At the time, a No 10 spokesman said: "The PM made clear that he wants to work with the first minister, forging even stronger ties between our governments and our parliaments and working together on the big issues for the future of Scotland and the United Kingdom." | At the time, a No 10 spokesman said: "The PM made clear that he wants to work with the first minister, forging even stronger ties between our governments and our parliaments and working together on the big issues for the future of Scotland and the United Kingdom." |
| Ms Sturgeon said: "I have come out of the meeting very confident that we will get the devolution of power to extend the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds in time for that to happen for the 2016 election." | Ms Sturgeon said: "I have come out of the meeting very confident that we will get the devolution of power to extend the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds in time for that to happen for the 2016 election." |
| Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have committed to making 2015 the last Westminster election to exclude 16 and 17-year-olds. | Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have committed to making 2015 the last Westminster election to exclude 16 and 17-year-olds. |
| Shadow Scottish Secretary Margaret Curran said: "Scottish Labour called for this change to be made and we welcome this announcement by the UK government. We will fully support any legislation required to make it happen." | Shadow Scottish Secretary Margaret Curran said: "Scottish Labour called for this change to be made and we welcome this announcement by the UK government. We will fully support any legislation required to make it happen." |