The vote should be rolled out to 16 and 17-year-olds for the EU referendum, an MP has claimed.
Feltham & Heston MP Seema Malhotra says the minimum voting age should be reduced from 18 in time for more young people to have their say on whether the UK stays in the European Union.
Speaking at the launch of the 'Votes at 16' campaign outside parliament on Thursday (June 11), she said: "It is time to extend the voting age to 16 and 17-year-olds.
"The EU referendum will have a huge impact on jobs and opportunities for young people and it is right that they should have an equal say in the outcome."
The campaign follows last year's Scottish referendum, in which history was made by handing under-18s the right to vote for the first time on their nation's future.
"We saw 16 and 17-years-old vote during the Scottish referendum and it was an unqualified success. That campaign electrified the country, in part due to the enthusiasm of the young people involved," she said.
"Extending the franchise would give young people the chance to debate the issue at school and in the community and engage on a vital issue for this parliament."
The voting age has already been lowered to 16 in Austria, Brazil and the Channel islands of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
MPs this week voted overwhelmingly in favour of an EU referendum.
It is expected to take place in 2017 but a date has yet to be confirmed.
