DEPARTMENT FOR
CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS News Release (039/07) issued by The
Government News Network on 4 April 2007
For the first
time, 18 year-olds will be able to stand as candidates in the May
local elections in England and Welsh Assembly elections.
Bridget Prentice, Democracy Minister, said:
"By lowering the candidacy age to 18, the Government wants
to see more young people represented in politics at all levels and
becoming involved in the democratic process.
"Young people take on a number of rights and
responsibilities at 18 - including being eligible for jury service
- and there is no reason why they should not also be able to stand
as candidates in elections.
"We want to promote the participation of young people and
the reduction in the age of candidacy to 18 will encourage a
greater sense of citizenship."
Ms Prentice has met more than 250 young people and visited 17
youth groups over the past year as part of a programme to
encourage young people and under-represented groups to participate
in the democratic process. She has visited secondary and primary
schools, met community groups and attended events like the
Democracy Coalition for Children and Young People and People and
Politics Day.
The new age for candidates was introduced in the Electoral
Administration (2006) Act.
There are 15 days left to register to vote in the May local elections.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. For more on elections see http://www.dca.gov.uk/elections/index.htm
on the DCA website.
2. There are 18-21 year old candidates standing for election in
Manchester, Stratford upon Avon, Waveney, Poole, Barrow,
Southampton, Oldham, Lancaster, West Oxfordshire, Runnymede,
Flyde, Harlow, Bournemouth.
3. The Electoral Administration Bill was introduced in Parliament
in October 2005 and became an Act in July 2006. For full details
of the effects of the Electoral Administration Act visit: http://www.dca.gov.uk/legist/electadmin.htm
4. Copies of the Act are available from http://www.dca.gov.uk/legist/electadmin.htm.
5. Section 17 of the Act reduces the age of candidacy from 21 to
18 for those seeking election to the House of Commons, local
authorities, election as Mayor or Assembly member of the Greater
London Authority.
6. The Electoral Commission is an independent body that aims to
promote integrity, involvement and effectiveness. Its website is
at http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/
ENDS
http://www.dca.gov.uk