EIGHTEEN-year-olds could be turning out as candidates in the next General Election under plans being considered by the Government. But will this really help reverse political apathy among the nation's teenagers? JENNY SCOTT investigates. . .

WHEN you cast your vote at the ballot box in the next General Election, the candidate you're supporting could be as young as 18.

For, in an attempt to revive young people's flagging interest in politics, Government policy-makers look set to lower the minimum age at which MPs can enter the House of Commons.

Candidates currently have to be 21 before they stand for election, but an independent Electoral Commission review has recommended the lowering of the age boundary.

Surprisingly, while 18-year-olds can vote and pay taxes, they can't actually stand for Parliament, or become councillors.

It's hoped an age reduction could radically increase the teenage turnout at the next General Election, which slumped to just 39 per cent among 18 to 24-year-olds when votes were cast in 2001.

But would the addition of a few youthful faces to the candidacy lists really see East Lancashire's young people make the trip to the ballot box?

According to Blackburn 16-year-old Amar Jangir, the plans would find widespread support among young people and might even see them get more involved in politics.

"Right now a lot of decisions that affect young people are taken by MPs. I think on issues like tuition fees, our opinions should count," he said.

Farah Hameed, 16, of Whalley New Road, Blackburn, was more circumspect about the proposals.

Farah, studying A-levels at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, said: "At 18, you don't have enough experience and you're not responsible enough to become an MP."

Local MPs were also cautious about the plans. Peter Pike, MP for Burnley, is one of the Labour Party's more experienced members and is due to stand down at the next election.

So how would he feel about conducting a debate with a teenage MP who'd barely passed his driving test?

"If they knew what they were talking about, I'd treat them exactly the same, whether they were 16, 18, 25 or 90," he said.

"But personally I'd keep the age you can stand for Parliament at 21. I'm a strong believer that, to be an MP, you need to have experience of life and at 18 you don't have that experience."

Nigel Evans, 46, Conservative MP for the Ribble Valley, called for a more detailed investigation into why young people aren't voting. "One of the lowest turnouts is among the 18-24 age group, which disturbs me, because it's their future they are voting for."