Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 27 June 2013
27 Jun 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill
I echo the thanks of my fellow committee members to our clerks and witnesses and to everyone else who contributed to the process.
I am naturally disappointed that we are not using this bill to take two progressive steps on the question of the franchise, but I want to address my remarks to the step that we have chosen to take—on votes at 16. I am not sure that I can do it the same justice that Bruce Crawford did, who I think addressed the issue extremely well a few minutes ago.
With every school visit that I go on, every question-and-answer session I take part in with young visitors to the Parliament, and every opportunity I have to engage with young people in youth work projects or in communities in Glasgow or elsewhere, I am more and more convinced that 16 and 17-year-olds have exactly the same spectrum of passion and apathy, interest and disinterest, and ideas and confusion as every other age group.
Members who go out knocking on doors and talk to people of all age groups at election time would probably reflect on the diversity of our entire electorate. I do not believe that there is any justification for the assumption that 16 and 17-year-olds are any less able or any more able to take part in this referendum; they are as diverse as every other age group.
Given the arguments that have been made on taxation, participation in other areas of public life, work, marriage—on which we have seen a bill introduced today—and all the other personal life choices that 16-year-olds are able to make in our society, I can see no justification for opposing this opportunity to reduce the voting age to 16 for the referendum.
Those who say that the age should be reduced for all elections are absolutely right, and it is by ensuring a high turnout among 16 and 17-year-olds in the referendum that we will put that case. I hope that young people, like everybody else, choose to vote yes and choose to live the rest of their lives in an independent Scotland that can achieve far more for them and for their communities.
Whichever choice young people make—and whichever choice Scotland as a whole makes—we will make the case for reducing the voting age to 16 for all elections, whether in Scotland or in the UK, if we achieve a strong turnout. We must be focused on promoting participation in this process—not just the opportunity to vote but real participation. We must encourage young people to exercise the right to vote that we are giving them today.
16:19
I am naturally disappointed that we are not using this bill to take two progressive steps on the question of the franchise, but I want to address my remarks to the step that we have chosen to take—on votes at 16. I am not sure that I can do it the same justice that Bruce Crawford did, who I think addressed the issue extremely well a few minutes ago.
With every school visit that I go on, every question-and-answer session I take part in with young visitors to the Parliament, and every opportunity I have to engage with young people in youth work projects or in communities in Glasgow or elsewhere, I am more and more convinced that 16 and 17-year-olds have exactly the same spectrum of passion and apathy, interest and disinterest, and ideas and confusion as every other age group.
Members who go out knocking on doors and talk to people of all age groups at election time would probably reflect on the diversity of our entire electorate. I do not believe that there is any justification for the assumption that 16 and 17-year-olds are any less able or any more able to take part in this referendum; they are as diverse as every other age group.
Given the arguments that have been made on taxation, participation in other areas of public life, work, marriage—on which we have seen a bill introduced today—and all the other personal life choices that 16-year-olds are able to make in our society, I can see no justification for opposing this opportunity to reduce the voting age to 16 for the referendum.
Those who say that the age should be reduced for all elections are absolutely right, and it is by ensuring a high turnout among 16 and 17-year-olds in the referendum that we will put that case. I hope that young people, like everybody else, choose to vote yes and choose to live the rest of their lives in an independent Scotland that can achieve far more for them and for their communities.
Whichever choice young people make—and whichever choice Scotland as a whole makes—we will make the case for reducing the voting age to 16 for all elections, whether in Scotland or in the UK, if we achieve a strong turnout. We must be focused on promoting participation in this process—not just the opportunity to vote but real participation. We must encourage young people to exercise the right to vote that we are giving them today.
16:19
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-07109, in the name of Nicola Sturgeon, on the Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill.15:40
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities (Nicola Sturgeon)
SNP
I am very pleased to open the stage 3 debate on the Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill and to fulfil the Scottish Government’s commitment to e...
Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Lab)
Lab
As Parliament knows, this bill has been subject to an expedited process, so that the electoral registration canvass can begin in the autumn. It has been poss...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
You should be drawing to a close now, please.
Patricia Ferguson
Lab
We may take a different view from the Government on what would be a desired outcome from next year’s referendum, but we agree that young people should be abl...
Annabel Goldie (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
Today represents the final stage of phase 1 of an important legislative process that will culminate in the referendum on 18 September next year. I echo Patri...
Bruce Crawford (Stirling) (SNP)
SNP
On many occasions since the establishment of this Parliament in 1999, I have been very proud of what we have achieved through the legislation that we have pa...
Annabel Goldie
Con
Will the member give way?
Bruce Crawford
SNP
I am sorry, but I only have three minutes.Those decisions were taken and their outcomes created by mature and supposedly wise and experienced adults. Those o...
John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab)
Lab
When I spoke in the stage 1 debate on the bill, I was supportive of its general principles but not without some reservations. In many ways, little has change...
Stuart McMillan (West Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
This is truly a momentous day. Irrespective of which side of the debate members are campaigning for, at decision time they will shatter the ceiling placed on...
Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD)
LD
The passing of the bill today will finalise two major decisions. One represents a progressive change for the future. The other reflects illiberal entrenchmen...
Annabelle Ewing (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to have been called to speak in the debate on the Scottish Independence Referendum (Franchise) Bill. I am a member of the Referendum (Scotland) ...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
I echo the thanks of my fellow committee members to our clerks and witnesses and to everyone else who contributed to the process.I am naturally disappointed ...
Annabel Goldie
Con
I hope that this debate—I am pleased to have played a role in stimulating some sort of debate—has disturbed part of the consensus. What I said was intended n...
James Kelly (Rutherglen) (Lab)
Lab
I echo the comments of Annabelle Ewing and others in support of the clerks and all who have worked on the bill to get it to the stage at which it will be pas...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
I was advising the cabinet secretary of how long she might have to speak. You have another 30 seconds or thereby.
James Kelly
Lab
Okay—30 seconds or thereabouts.To sum up, I reassure the Deputy First Minister that we support the bill and its provisions in relation to prisoners voting. I...
Nicola Sturgeon
SNP
I thank all members who have taken part in the debate.I begin by highlighting a few issues of process that have been raised. Patricia Ferguson rightly acknow...
Patricia Ferguson
Lab
Will Nicola Sturgeon take an intervention?
Nicola Sturgeon
SNP
I was going to move on to a consensual point, but I will take the intervention.
Patricia Ferguson
Lab
I do not want to break the consensus either, but I make the point to the Deputy First Minister that the reason why we are so keen to find out a bit more abou...
Nicola Sturgeon
SNP
The Government always does its homework, and on this issue—perhaps more than on many others—the legal position is clear. A legal challenge would be very unli...