Business of the House Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Business of the House

Liz McInnes Excerpts
Thursday 30th June 2016

(8 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Grayling Portrait Chris Grayling
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I was not aware of that. I will have a word with the Secretary of State and see whether we can get a proper response to the hon. Gentleman.

Liz McInnes Portrait Liz McInnes (Heywood and Middleton) (Lab)
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Yesterday the Prime Minister claimed yet again that The Smiths were his favourite band—I am sure he will be hearing from Johnny Marr soon, if he has not already—but his mismanagement of the EU referendum has been less “This Charming Man” and much more “Bigmouth Strikes Again”. May we have an urgent debate on the effect of the referendum result on 16 to 18-year-olds in the UK, who were denied any say in their future and on their place in Europe?

Lord Grayling Portrait Chris Grayling
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I am afraid that I cannot comment on Smiths lyrics, as I am a Pink Floyd fan—indeed, 30 years on I still spend many happy hours listening to “The Dark Side of the Moon”. I know that the debate on the subject of votes for 16 and 17-year-olds has been a lively one, but it remains Government policy that the right age to begin voting is 18. It will continue to be a matter for debate, and Opposition Members who wish to bring it before the British people will be able to put it in their next manifesto, if indeed they are organised enough to have one.