Young Lib Dems take campaigns to Abington Street shoppers

10.01.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 11th Aug 2006

"It's ludicrous that you can get married, have children, join the army but still not vote at the age of 16" said LDYS Chair, Andreas Christodoulou

Northampton Liberal Democrat Youth & Students members will be out in Abington street this Saturday collecting signatures from shoppers for their campaigns against the County Council's cuts to Youth Services and for lowering the voting age to 16.

"We are taking these campaigns out onto the streets and hope to persuade Saturday shoppers to give us their support" said Northampton Lib Dem Youth & Students (LDYS) Group Secretary, Portia Wilson.

"The County Council are doing untold damage to Youth Services in Northampton through massive cuts in funding - so called 'reprioritising of services' means that young people in our town are affected. The closure of The Roadmender was the most visible sign of what the County Council thinks of young people" she continued

The group are running a petition against the cuts.

"We are also calling for the voting age to be lowered to 16" said LDYS member Fern Conroy. "Why is it that you can pay taxes, get a job and get married at 16 but not be allowed to have a say in who represents you. Our voices need to be heard and that means giving us the vote" she continued

The group will be seeking support for the cross party Votes at 16 campaign.

Northampton North Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson Andrew Simpson who will be out supporting the young Lib Dems said "The demonstrations and campaigns about the Iraq war showed that young people are interested in politics and the Northampton LDYS group are setting an example to all young people to get involved in that your voice can be heard and you can help bring about change".