It lowers the age at which someone can stand for political election from 21 to 18, but it doesn't contain any proposals to reduce the voting age to 16.
Sixteen- and 17-year-olds can pay taxes, go to jail, get married and be a parent, but they're not allowed to vote. It seems that the UK's 16- and 17-year-olds have all the responsibilities of adulthood, but none of the rights that come with it.
We know that British young people aged between 18 and 25 are the group least likely to vote in general elections - indeed only 37 per cent voted in 2005. Compare this with Germany, where 16- and 17-year-olds are allowed to vote in municipal elections and the turnout is higher than other age groups.
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