labourpress:

Pat McFadden MP, Labour’s Shadow Europe Minister, on reports that the Government will seek to reverse 16-17 years olds voting in an EU Referendum by amending the EU Referendum Bill, when it comes back to the House of Commons this week, said:

“When the EU Referendum bill returns to the Commons this week, Labour will press the case for 16 and 17 year olds to be allowed to vote in the referendum. Their rights to live, work and study anywhere in the EU are very much on the ballot paper.

“This referendum will decide the future direction of the UK for a generation. It is right that our country’s young people have a say in our country’s future.”

On the ongoing EU renegotiation, Pat McFadden MP said:

“Labour will not sit back while David Cameron tries to balance the competing demands of our nation’s future economic security with his backbencher’s calls for isolationism.

“The UK’s national interests are to stay in the EU for jobs, growth, investment as well as people’s rights at work.  Labour will show the leadership the Tories are incapable of on this issue

“It’s in our national interest and that is more important than the absurd theatrics over Europe going on in the Tory Party.”