GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council (GCC) will be debating whether or not the voting age should be lowered to 16.

The Liberal Democrats on the county council have put forward a motion to discuss the issue.

While the local authority does not have powers to change the law, it could pledge support towards the issue, helping influence decisions made in Parliament.

Nationally, the Labour Party, the Lib Dems, the Green Party and the UK Youth Parliament have been campaigning for years to allow 16-year-olds the right to vote.

The Conservatives and UKIP, however, believe that the minimum voting should be kept at 18.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats on GCC Cllr Paul Hodgkinson will be leading a debate at Shire Hall at the county council meeting on Wednesday, September 13.

He said: “For years young people have shown an active interest in politics and yet when it comes to the ballot box their voice remains silent. We saw more under 24’s voting than before in this year’s General Election too.

“I know many young people who have very strong opinions on a wide variety of issues. It is ridiculous that in spite of all the things 16 and 17 year olds are legally able to do, they still do not have the right to vote in elections.

“Yet they can get married, work, pay tax and fight for their country. It doesn’t make any sense.

“In last year’s EU referendum, we saw unfair restrictions placed on those that actually have the longest stake in the future of this country, it wasn’t right that 16 and 17 year olds were denied a vote in a decision that has altered our nation’s course.

“After hearing from our county’s representatives of the Youth Parliament about this particular issue it made me realise that it really is about time 16 and 17 year olds are given the right to vote in all elections. This is about giving a voice to young people in our country.

“I hope elected members across the chamber will support my motion and with one voice we can show all six Gloucestershire MPs that they have our backing in lowering the voting age to 16.”

Gloucestershire’s Youth Parliament representatives, George Richmond for Cotswold & Stroud and Harriet Hards for Cheltenham & Tewkesbury also said: “It is deeply pleasing to see that votes for 16 will be debated at the County Council meeting in September.

“This will both hopefully enthuse many young people in Gloucestershire but also bring the wider debate to discussion.

“We look forward to hearing the result and hope all political parties will support this motion.”

Cllr Ray Theodoulou deputy leader of Gloucestershire County Council, however indicated that he would be against the motion by the Lib Dems: “I think you need a single age for adulthood in a country – and in the UK at the minute that is 18.

“Until you’re 18 you aren’t old enough to buy alcohol, a kitchen knife, or even some types of glue. You can’t leave education, or enter a contract without the permission of your parents.

“And choosing a government is no less important than any of those things – so unless you’re going to look at the age we decide someone is an adult overall, I would not support changing the voting age in isolation.”