Referendum (Scotland) Debate

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Department: Scotland Office

Referendum (Scotland)

John Robertson Excerpts
Monday 15th October 2012

(11 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Mundell Portrait David Mundell
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I expect that both I and the Secretary of State will appear before the hon. Gentleman’s Committee to answer those questions in detail.

John Robertson Portrait John Robertson (Glasgow North West) (Lab)
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I have great faith in the Scottish people and in 16 and 17-year-olds—we underestimate them at our peril—but I have absolutely no faith in this coalition or the Executive north of the border. These 16 and 17-year-olds will be allowed to vote on Scottish separation, yet, six or seven months later, they will not be allowed to vote in a general election. How would the Minister vote if he was one of these 16 or 17-year-olds? Answer that!

David Mundell Portrait David Mundell
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First, I refer the hon. Gentleman to polling in Scotland, which indicates that 16 and 17-year-olds do not support independence, and secondly I urge him to take his argument to Scotland—to the Scottish Parliament and his MSP colleagues there—to make that robust case.