The Government has been absolutely clear in its position on EU membership - we should let the British people decide through an in-out referendum. The EU needs to change and it is time for the British people, not politicians, to have their say. That is why the Government has passed legislation guaranteeing an in-out referendum to be held on Britain's membership of the EU before the end of 2017. The European Union Referendum Act 2015 was passed in December.
The Act makes clear that the franchise for the referendum will be based on the general election franchise, but will also include members of the House of Lords and Commonwealth citizens in Gibraltar. British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens over 18 who are resident in the UK will therefore be eligible to vote as well as UK nationals resident overseas for less than 15 years.
The proper occasion to have the debate on lowering the voting age would be in the form of legislation to amend arrangements set out by the Representation of the People Acts, so that the principle can be debated and the House of Commons can make a decision whether to apply that rule to all future elections and referendums. I do not believe it is appropriate to make a one-off exception for this referendum on the United Kingdom's place in the European Union.
This is a big decision for our country, one that is about the future of the United Kingdom, and I trust that the people will make their voice known at the ballot box.