Independence poll ‘to open door for younger voters’

Grant Costello was speaking after it emerged that First Minister Alex Salmond will meet Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday to finalise a deal over how the referendum will be staged.

That is likely to see an independence referendum held north of the border in the autumn of 2014 – the Scottish Government’s preferred timescale.

It is expected that voters in Scotland will be given a straight choice between independence or remaining in the United Kingdom.

It is also expected that 16 and 17-year-olds will be allowed to take part in the crucial ballot.

Mr Costello said that would make the referendum a “seminal moment for Scottish democracy”.

He added: “Allowing 16-year-olds to vote in this referendum will pave the way for the franchise to be extended in all future elections – after all, if we trust young people to vote on Scotland’s constitutional future, then we must surely see the case for allowing them to vote in all elections.”

Mr Costello argued: “Young people are the future of Scotland, and it’s entirely right they have their say on Scotland’s constitutional future.”

He said both the Scottish Youth Parliament and the National Union of Students Scotland had been calling for the UK and Scottish governments to “work together to make votes at 16 happen”.

He added: “We’re delighted that it appears this call has been listened to.”

But he stressed that the detail of the deal would be “very important”, adding: “There needs to be a clear commitment to ensure the process is in place for all 16-year-olds to be able to register to vote, ensuring every 16 and 17-year-old is given the chance to have their say on Scotland’s future.”

A Scotland Office spokesman said any decision to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote would not affect the franchise for other parliamentary elections.

He said: “The franchise for all parliamentary elections to the UK Parliament and the devolved parliaments has been set by Westminster. There are no plans to change this.

“The franchise for referendums is set out in the legislation that enables each referendum to take place – for example, the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act set out the franchise for the AV referendum last year.

“If we agree to transfer powers to the Scottish Parliament to hold a referendum, then it is they who would determine the franchise.

“These issues form part of the substantive discussions currently taking place between the UK and Scottish governments.”

The spokesman added: “Any decision by the Scottish Parliament to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in an independence referendum would not affect the franchise for parliamentary elections.”