Charles Kennedy

Liberal Democrats | Ross Skye & Lochaber

Kennedy: Youth Vote Signals Bright Future For Liberal Democrats

In a keynote speech to an audience of young people at the London School of Economics at 1pm today, Charles Kennedy will argue it is the Liberal Democrats who offer the vision that young people are looking for in politics.

“We represent a change to the status quo; an end to the comfortable two-party system. That is attractive to younger people.

But so is what we stand for – and stand up for. Our defence of human rights and fundamental civil liberties; our innate sense of fairness; our commitment to social justice; our environmentalism; our belief in international law. We are the natural political party for younger people because we put these principles at the heart of our policy and our message.”

Mr Kennedy will argue for the voting age to be lowered to 16:

“The Prime Minister is keen to tell people that rights and responsibilities go together. At 16, this Labour Government is quite happy to take your taxes, to let you raise a family, to let you join the army – but not to let you vote.  Well I say what about that right to vote going with those responsibilities?”

Mr Kennedy will also argue that young people are not apathetic, but are turned off politics by the system. Mr Kennedy will say:

“The health of British democracy is a part of the inheritance that my generation will pass on. Without voting reform, we will be handing on a system that is less and less relevant to modern life, and the way people think about politics.”

Mr Kennedy will point to the so-called ‘respect agenda,’ as an illustration of how Labour fails to engage with younger people:

“There is a real respect agenda.  But it goes far beyond the narrow issues the Government is focusing on. We Liberal Democrats believe respect is a two-way street.  If society does not respect its younger people, how can it demand their respect in return?  It is about respecting younger people’s choices, and winning their respect in return by giving them the prospect of a future where they can make a living and make a difference.”