Voting age consultation moves ahead

The Youth Citizenship Commission will examine ways to increase the participation of 11- to 19-year-olds in politics, including the possible voting age change.

The Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced the commission last July, but it has now become a reality following the appointment of a chair, professor Jonathan Tonge.

Tonge is professor of politics at the University of Liverpool, and chair of the Political Studies Association of the UK.

He said: "Helping young citizens engage fully with their community and political system is one of the most important challenges in contemporary Britain."

Members of the Votes at 16 Coalition welcomed the news.

Ken Ritchie, chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society, said: "We believe that 16 and 17 year olds have views on the type of society they want to live in and that they should therefore have a political voice."

Emily Beardsmore, chair of the British Youth Council, said: "We believe that young people should, and could, be more involved in the decisions that affect the way they live their lives and the issues that they feel passionate about."

Last week the Department for Children, Schools and Families announced £6m over three year to encourage youth leadership.

The department will be working with youth leadership organisations in England to find ways to get young people more involved in their local communities.