EIS backs plan to open independence referendum to younger voters

Scotland’s largest teaching union has backed Alex Salmond’s plans to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in the independence referendum.

  
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In a boost for the First Minister, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS said allowing the teenagers to vote in the poll planned for autumn 2014 would »foster active citizenship» and encourage them to be »responsible citizens».

The union’s view was expressed in its official response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the referendum, which closed earlier this month.

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: »The EIS believes that 16 and 17-year-olds should have the vote in the referendum on Scotland’s future, which is their future.

»Extending the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds will help to foster active citizenship by giving young people a greater say in the decisions that will affect them now and in the future.

»Encouraging pupils to be responsible citizens and effective contributors are two of the key principles of Curriculum for Excellence, and there are few better ways of encouraging these capacities than by extending the right to vote and enabling young people to play a full part in the democratic process.»

Mr Flanagan pointed out that 16-year-olds can secure employment, pay taxes, get married and join the armed forces.

He added: »It is wholly appropriate that they should also have the right to vote on the decisions that affect them, and to have a fair say in who is elected to represent them at local or national level.»

Mr Salmond has said the Government wants to extend the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds in the vote. But the policy has been criticised by opponents as an attempt to gain an advantage in the referendum, as it is believed the teenagers would be more likely to vote for independence.

On the wider issues about the referendum, the EIS said its members would have a range of views on the constitution.

Mr Flanagan said: »The EIS was a long-standing supporter of devolution and for the establishment of a Scottish Parliament, but almost certainly, EIS members across Scotland will hold personal views which encompass the entire range of options which will be debated in the months to come.

»What is important is that we have that debate, and that the referendum itself delivers a clear and decisive answer for Scotland’s future. »

SNP MSP Humza Yousaf said: »It is a fundamental injustice that 16 and 17-year-olds throughout the UK can pay tax, be sent to fight in war and start a family, but have no say in how taxes are spent and how the country is run.

»The other parties should listen to the EIS and the growing list of individuals and organisations, and let Scotland’s young citizens have their say on Scotland’s future.

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