16-year-olds to vote on Scotland's future: Cameron offers concession to SNP as he vows to defend the Union

  • Under-18s are close to securing a vote in the historic referendum on the United Kingdom’s constitution in 2014
  • The deal was struck in exchange for Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond agreeing to a single, ‘in or out’ question on the ballot paper
  • Polls show that two thirds of Scots want to remain British

By Gerri Peev and Alan Roden

PUBLISHED: 20:00 EST, 9 October 2012 | UPDATED: 16:31 EST, 10 October 2012

David Cameron today prepared to hand over powers which will give 16-year-olds the vote in the Scottish independence referendum.

However, despite the concession to the Nationalists, he vowed to fight to preserve the United Kingdom ‘with everything we’ve got’.

At a meeting on Monday the Prime Minister will agree to Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond’s demands that 16 and 17-year-old Scots should be given a vote on independence.

The Conservative Party Autumn Conference at The ICC Birmingham David Cameron talks to Liam Fox Samantha Cameron walking back to the HYatt Hotel after his speech rehearsal
Deal: Scottish First Minster Alex Salmond. The deal was struck in exchange him agreeing to a single, 'in or out' question on the ballot paper

Future: David Cameron (left) will meet Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond (right) in Edinburgh on Monday to finalise arrangements for the historic referendum on Scottish independence

This will be viewed as a victory for the Scottish National Party, which says a higher proportion of younger voters back its aims. However, this claim was thrown into doubt by a poll for the Mail on Sunday which showed that only 26 per cent of youngsters supported independence, with 59 per cent opposed. 

The Nationalists have lost the fight to have a second, fall-back question which would give them more powers even if they fail to get support for independence. Instead, Scottish voters will face a simple question asking whether they want their country to become independent. In his speech to the Tory conference, Mr Cameron asked: ‘What could matter more than saving our United Kingdom?’

 

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Mr Cameron told activists in Birmingham that the Olympics had highlighted the depth of feeling for the United Kingdom.

‘Whether our athletes were English, Scottish, Welsh or from Northern Ireland, they draped themselves in one flag.

‘Now, there’s one person who didn’t like that and he’s called Alex Salmond. I’m going to see him on Monday to sort out that referendum on independence by the end of 2014.’

Black Ballot Box Voting Paper

Decision: Under-18s are close to securing a vote in the historic referendum on the United Kingdom's constitution in 2014

He added: ‘Let’s say it: we’re better together and we’ll rise together – and let us fight that referendum with everything we’ve got.’

As part of the deal with the Nationalists, the Scottish Parliament will hold the power over how the referendum is run and who gets a say in it.

A Downing Street source said: ‘It is usually for the administration which is running the vote to decide on the franchise. We cannot stop them from extending voting rights but the Scottish government will have to explain how it will ensure all 16 and 17-year-olds get on the electoral roll in time. 

‘This is definitely not setting a precedent for general or other elections, this is very specific to the independence referendum.’ 

Polls have shown that most young people oppose the break-up of Britain. Government sources said this was because they were ‘more internationalist’.

Education Secretary Michael Gove, who is Scottish, said lots of UK ministers will be taking part in the campaign

'Personal issue': Education Secretary Michael Gove, who is Scottish, said lots of UK ministers will be taking part in the campaign

Mr Salmond said: ‘I’m certainly hoping and optimistic that a deal can be done next week. There are a number of issues that are still to be resolved.’ 

Education Secretary Michael Gove, who is Scottish, said: ‘There will be lots of UK ministers taking part in the campaign. For myself, because my family live in Scotland, I don’t want to be in a situation where I’m part of a government that sees that my mum and dad become foreigners. For me, it’s an emotional and personal issue.’ 

The elderly could have to wait years before the introduction of a system to prevent them having to sell their homes to pay for care, Jeremy Hunt admitted.

Currently at least 20,000 pensioners are forced to sell their home every year – denying their children an inheritance. Older people were promised two years ago that a new system would be in place by 2015.

However, the Health Secretary’s comments appear to contradict Mr Cameron’s pledge in the summer to find the money to cap the lifetime costs of long-term care for the elderly at £35,000.

At a fringe event at the Tory conference, Mr Hunt said, although he wanted to impose a cap, it may have to be set at a higher level to make it more affordable. Money could also be saved by restricting pensioners’ eligibility for assistance, he said.

Last year, economist Andrew Dilnot recommended a cap on total lifetime costs, with the Government stepping in to pay the rest. The economist put the cost of this at £1.7billion a year. 

The Health Secretary said: ‘It may be that the right solution takes us a period of years to get to. This is something that is potentially very expensive.’



 

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Sean, more to the point, why are you right wingers against democracy. And why wasn't this allowed to be debated in both parliaments London and Edinburgh? Instead of a secret meeting between Salmon and Cameron! - Tom Sharp , Manchester, 11/10/2012 12:24 By that logic you hate democracy and freedom because you don't want 15-year olds to vote. Why don't you want 15-year olds voting?

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16 and 17 year olds are ADULTS, of course they should be allowed to vote in elections. - Colin , Irvine, United Kingdom, 11/10/2012 13:17 No. You are not an adult until you are 18.

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letting under 18's vote is wrong. that line is set for a reason but the scottish nationals have clearly abandoned reason.

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I hope the SNP lose this. They'll have us all living in Brigadoon. But that fat little t*rd Salmond will NOT rob me of my British passport!

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The figures that show contribution per head in Scotland v spend per head doesn't include revenue generated by the oil industry which (unless I have been looking at an inaccurate map for 30 years) is in Scottish water. Add this to the figures and all of a sudden contribution per head is higher than spend. Wait a minute, does that mean we're subsidising the rest of the UK?!! David Cameron would have a better chance of staying as PM without Scotland. This, coupled with our label as so called subsidy junkies makes me really wonder why he's so keen to hang on to us. Do you really believe he wants Scotland in the UK because he thinks we can't look after ourselves? Looking after people who need help isn't exactly in the Tory nature is it? I am not anti English in any way but I think Scotland would be better off as an independent nation. I can't stand the thought of another 17 years of Tory rule. Thank goodness health is devolved in scotland given what's happening down south.

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'@@ im 17 in glasgow im voteing to get out of UK posion is england well off to get a bottle of bucky now to celibrate giving scotland a much brighter future - just saying, Worlds Center England, 10/10/2012 10:40 ============ Whatever that gobbledegook means, I do hope tkere are millions more like you! - McCormack , Purbrook, 11/10/2012 17:54' ......................his profile says he lives in North London so there are millions like him.

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@@ im 17 in glasgow im voteing to get out of UK posion is england well off to get a bottle of bucky now to celibrate giving scotland a much brighter future - just saying, Worlds Center England, 10/10/2012 10:40 ============ Whatever that gobbledegook means, I do hope tkere are millions more like you!

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'HOW ridiculous voting at 16yrs old, they've only just left school!, No nothing about life, can hardly tie their shoelaces, and you want them to VOTE!!!!!. SNP must be desperate for votes if you need children to carry you through ! - fan63, gauteng, 11/10/2012 15:13' .....................Cameron is sending 16 year-olds to the ww1 battlefields to learn history, hundreds if not thousands of 16 and 17 year old boys (children you say) were KILLED fighting for their country in ww1, they knew more about life and death than most of us grown ups today. Some grown ups today like YOU shouldn't have the vote.

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Looks like a done deal now the young scots will vote. The Scots can finally have their own country and England can finally be free.

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If Michael Gove is Scottish, why doesn't he stand for a political seat in Scotland? Whoops, I forgot,at the moment Tories in Scotland are outnumbered by the Pandas !

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