Voting Age

Debate between Stephen Williams and Lord Dodds of Duncairn

Thursday 24th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Williams]

As I said, there is widespread support for the change in all parties, and there we have another revelation from a Conservative coalition colleague that there is growing support for it.

[Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP)]

The hon. Gentleman is being generous in giving way to so many Members so early in his speech.

The hon. Gentleman’s motion refers to

“voting in all elections and referendums in the United Kingdom”.

Does he accept that if there are elections in one particular part of the UK—Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales—there may be a case for saying that the devolved legislatures should consider the matter? In the case of the Scottish referendum, for instance, the Scottish Parliament will decide on the age of the participants, because that decision has been devolved. Is the scope of the motion not too wide, and should not the place of the devolved legislatures be respected?

[Stephen Williams]

I and my party colleagues are fundamentally committed to the principle of devolution, not just to the nations of the United Kingdom but, from my perspective, through growing empowerment for local government and city regions. I would like local government to decide its own franchise arrangements. First past the post is a clapped-out, ludicrous system. In Bristol, where we have genuinely competitive four-party politics and all the mainstream English parties compete, Bristol city council ought to have the power to alter its electoral cycle and decide on its franchise. I am therefore fully with the right hon. Gentleman in believing in such subsidiarity in decision making.