Disconnected from politics?

Sixteen-year-olds should be given the right to vote in local and general elections, according to a new campaign group.

The demand for a change in the law has been stepped up with the launch of "Votes at 16 Campaign".

The cross-party group, which has the backing of charities and pressure groups, wants to see the voting age lowered for all public elections and plans to lobby politicians and to "provoke debate among young people".

The campaign was launched by Bishop Roger Sainsbury, chairman of the National Youth Agency.

"Young people have so much to contribute to British politics, but they often do not feel they are viewed as real citizens," he said.

"As a result, they become disconnected and the quality of public decision-making suffers."

A reduction in voting age from 18 to 16 will "fit in with the government's agenda to promote inclusion and participation in society," he added.

Tony Blair, who is said to be against the move, was given a stark message from Jade Farrington, a 16-year-old school student from Staffordshire.

"If you lower the voting age to 16, you tell young people that our views are valid and you force more politicians to listen to us and bear us in mind when deciding their policies," she said.

"I believe that, over time, young people will regain some of their faith in politicians and elections and will show this by voting."

The campaign has also secured the backing of students groups.

Mandy Telford, president of the National Union of Students, said: "It is wrong to say that 16 and 17 year olds do not understand the issues.

"Citizenship education in schools from the age of 5 to 16 is helping to create politically literate young people.

"Lowering the voting age would encourage young people to make use of this knowledge and get them into the habit of voting."

It is also supported by Lord Lucas, a Conservative peer who is piloting a private members' bill, on lowering the voting age.

"We give young people the burdens of the world to carry at 16, we let them choose to leave school, get married or join the armed forces, we let them leave home. That responsibility gives them a right to a say in how things are run," he said.