Liberal Democrats in Stafford have this week added their support to the national Votes at 16 Campaign which is designed to get the Electoral Commission to lower the voting age for all public elections in the UK.

Staffordshire County Councillor Barry Stamp, said that he found it unbelievable that while 16 and 17 year olds could leave school, get married, have a full-time job and pay taxes on their income they were not allowed to vote.

"I really do think it is immoral that young men and women are, on one hand, thought old enough to join the armed forces at the age of 16 or 17 and are then considered to immature to vote! Surely this cannot be right! No wonder more and more young people are become disenchanted with politics at both a local and national level. The introduction of citizenship education onto the national curriculum at key stages 3 and 4 means that young people now reach the age of 16 with a thorough knowledge of political structures and how elections work and will have been encouraged to debate issues in class. Many are interested in politics and have valid views on issues that affect them. Liberal Democrats in Stafford, along with many of our colleagues across the Country, are now backing the call to make this change. We will be writing to the Electoral Commission with our views and would urge any other person interest in this issue to do the same," said Councillor Stamp.

"Liberal Democrats in Stafford are also hoping to organise a petition to back the campaign and we would like to hear from anyone who is willing to distribute and collect petition forms especially amongst youth groups and school sixth forms," added Cllr Stamp.

Details of the Votes at 16 Campaign can be obtained from www.votesat16.org.uk .