LOCAL Liberal Democrats say they are disappointed the Government has rejected a call by Preston Borough Council to consider lowering the age for would-be councillors.

Last year there were angry scenes in the Town Hall as junior politicians demanded that councillors support a motion to reduce the age at which someone can stand for council, from 21 to 18.

The motion, presented by the Liberal Democrats, was backed by the council. But their delight at winning support at local level was overshadowed by the Home Office's response, received this week.

It was presented to the council at a meeting of the policy and resources committee.

The Home Office response reads: "The question of candidate age was last considered by Parliament in 1985. A proposal to reduce the minimum age was defeated in the House of Lords.

"Since then, there does not appear to have been any widespread dissatisfaction with the present minimum age for candidacy.

"It has been argued that there should be some consistency between the age at which young people are able to vote and stand for election.

"The Home Office believe that there is a difference in capacity and suitability between being a voter and what is required of an elected representative."

But Lib Dem leader Bill Chadwick described the reply as nonsense.

He said: "Youngsters are voting with their feet. They feel they are being patronised with comment like that so don't bother voting.

"It is an obvious fudge by the government and it has disappointed a lot of people.

"If 18-year-olds are old enough to die for their country, then surely they should be considered mature enough to stand for council."

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