The mass involvement of 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland’s independence vote was the “real achievement” of the referendum last week and presents a unique opportunity for the future, according to the chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament.
Louise Cameron, a first time voter herself, said the extraordinary level of debate and engagement had destroyed the myth that young people were indifferent to politics.
Her views were echoed by senior politicians in Scotland and the wider UK, who hailed the decision to extend the franchise to that age group for the first time and urged Westminster and Holyrood to follow suit for all elections.
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