Creating a stronger democracy

BY PAISLEY AND RENFREWSHIRE SOUTH MP JOHANNA BAXTER

- BY PAISLEY AND RENFREWSHIRE SOUTH MP JOHANNA BAXTER

One year ago this month, our country went to the polls.

In that General Election, the UK voted, overwhelmingly, for change - and for a UK Labour government to lead that change.

Our manifesto was one of fundamental progressive change at every level of our society, and that includes our democratic process.

Last week our Labour government announced our strategy to modernise our democracy, with the important initial step of bringing the age of enfranchisement in line with the devolved parliaments by introducing the right to vote at 16 for Westminster elections.

Young people over 16 are already able to contribute to our society in a multitude of different ways - they pay their own taxes and are permitted to join our armed forces to serve our country-so it is only right and just that they are also given a voice, and a vote, in every level of our democratic process.

It is also clear that the voter ID rules, brought in by the previous Conservative government, are archaic and unsuited to the modern democratic process.