Former NI assembly candidate calling to lower voting age

by Gráinne Connolly

In 2012, the Northern Ireland Assembly passed a motion in support of lowering the voting age to 16. 

It was proposed by Sinn Féin's Megan Fearon, and backed by 51 MLAs.

A change to voting can only be made by Westminster and since then, nothing has changed and the age to vote still remains at 18.

Former NI Assembly Candidate from Strabane, Corey French is calling for this motion to be put in to action.

He told Q Radio that during his former election campaign, the issue of not being able to vote was brought to him numerous times by young people. 

"Once you are 16, you receive a national insurance number so you're old enough and mature enough to get a job; you're also allowed to enter into a sexual relationship and you're even allowed to join the army. 

"So with all that being a major choice that can be made by a 16 year old, why have they not been given the right to choose their politicians and add their voice heard in the process. 

"That's some of the questions that have been asked by many young people to me during my time on the campaign trail aswell. In my view it's an absolute joke."

Mr French went on to say that while he acknowledges the current political state at Stormont, he feels that lowering the voting age should be one of the many priorities of the political parties. 

Corey, who is also an Independent candidate for 2019 council elections, has also been in talks with James Brokenshire, the permanent Secretary of State's office to try and "get the ball rolling". 

While he's not finished yet, he said the discussions have been positive so far:

My votes at 16 talks with Northern Ireland Office are positive so far. Ive requested formal meeting with NIO officials to get things moving

— Corey French IND (@coreyfrench) 13 September 2017

 Listen to full interview with Corey French below: