A matter of “when not if” for votes at 16 after referendum turnout — Carmichael

After the independence referendum saw record voter turnout, Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has renewed calls for the national voting age to be lowered from 18 to 16.

The commitment to lower the voting age has been Liberal Democrat policy for many years. Over 100,000 voters aged under 18 registered to vote in the referendum.

Mr Carmichael said: “The energy and enthusiasm of young people in the referendum campaign is something of which Scotland should be proud.

“I have always believed that young people are much more politically engaged than they are given credit for. Never has that been clearer than during the referendum campaign.

“One of the most active volunteers for Better Together Orkney was in fact fifteen-year-old Jack Norquoy of Birsay. Jack spoke at a packed meeting in Kirkwall Town Hall alongside Shirley Williams.  He made a powerful and compelling case for what he believed in.

“Our young voters were given the opportunity and seized it with both hands. I believe that it is now only a matter of time until we see votes at 16 rolled out across the UK. That time should be now.”