Liberal Democrat Councillors have written to the two local MPs in York urging them to support Lib Dem amendments which will give 4,000 16- and 17-and-year olds in York the chance to vote for their local councillor.

Earlier this month, Lib Dem peers in the House of Lords tabled an amendment to the Government’s Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill to give 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in local elections.

The amendment was supported by Labour, and it means unless the Tories can overturn this amendment in the House of Commons, under-18s in York could be eligible to vote in local elections as early as next year and well in time for the next scheduled set of elections in 2019.

The move is part of the Liberal Democrat campaign to allow 16- and 17-and-year olds to vote in the EU Referendum and General Elections.

The letter to both local MPs calls on them to back these proposals in the commons and ensure that over 4,000 16 and 17 year olds will be given the vote.

Cllr Ashley Mason, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Children, Education and Young People in York, said:

“At 16 you are deemed to be old enough to sign up for the armed forces, pay tax, get married and you can drive a car before you’re 18, but you aren’t considered responsible enough to vote. It is past time that we extend this basic right to this important group in our society.

“I recently attended a question and answer session with the York Youth Council and was impressed by how knowledgeable and engaged they were with political issues. Their engagement clearly shows that young people across the city should be trusted to elect their local councillors at the next elections in 2019.

“Securing their right to vote in local elections is an important first step in the Liberal Democrat fight to make sure 16-year-olds have the vote in the EU Referendum and in General Elections. I am now calling on York’s two MPs, Rachael Maskell and Julian Sturdy, to back the proposals in the Commons.”