Teenagers should be given the right to vote in order to avoid the growing apathy with politics among young people, says a former government minister.

Former consumer affairs minister Nigel Griffiths says the legal age for voting should be lowered to 16 to bring a discontented youth into the democratic process.

The Edinburgh South MP argues that by the age of 18 voting in elections is no longer important to young people and lowering the voting age may create a habit.

"There are now so many distractions that by the time someone is 18 they are likely to have left school, got a job and formed a pattern of social behaviour. By then they haven't got into the habit of voting so it's passed them by," he said.

Griffiths highlighted the current anomalies in the law. "People can marry at sixteen and they can join the army. They pay taxes in their salary but cannot vote to decide the government that takes that tax."

He said his colleagues needed to change their attitude on the issue. "Most are basically saying 'you can't vote so you are not important'. It is very cynical then for politicians to show interest once they reach 18 and can vote."

Griffiths claimed the government is open to persuasion. "The government is in listening mode though I'm not expecting to receive government support. When the Labour policy forum discussed the issue Paul Boateng very much left the door open."

Griffiths appealed for young people who wanted to support his initiative to contact him through his website.

"If young people want the right to vote they've got to shout for it," said Griffiths.

He accepted that the issue of the minimum wage would also have to be looked at as part of the issue. Currently, 16-year-olds are paid at a reduced rate. If young citizens were to be given equal voting status, equality in pay would also have to be addressed.

"Now that the minimum wage has gone up and the fears of the business and the Conservatives have been proved wrong it may be time, with our economy currently robust, to look at this again," said Griffiths.

The Institute of Employment Rights has called for the full adult rate of the minimum wage to be paid to 16-year-olds. The think-tank argues that some adult workers are being displaced by employers in favour of cheap youth labour.

Tris Brown, chairman of the British Youth Council, warmly welcomed Griffiths' initiative.

"We are very supportive of any initiative that fights this massively unfair anomaly. All young people are expected to contribute to society; they should be able to take part in deciding who runs it. I'd love to see it in the manifestos and many of the members of the parties are in favour of lowering the age. It would also show that politicians are listening to young people," he said.