AS MPs discuss a motion calling for the voting age to be lowered, the Isle of Wight's Member of Youth Parliament has urged people to support the idea.
A motion put forward by Bristol MP Stephen Williams, opened a debate on the issue in the House of Commons today (Thursday).
Isle of Wight Member of Youth Parliament Robert Selby said there were many arguments to support giving young people a greater input in policy making.
"There is great emphasis put on what 16 year olds can already do by law, such as give full consent to medical treatment, leave school and enter work or training, get married or enter a civil partnership, consent to sexual relationships, join the armed forces and much more.
"I would also like to draw to the fact that 16 year olds pay income tax and National Insurance and can obtain tax credits and welfare benefits in their own right, which leads to the famous phrase: 'No taxation without representation’, for it is this argument that led to the American Revolution."
He said teenagers had been affected by a number of decisions recently, including cuts to the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and the rise in tuition fees.
He said: "Legislation and cuts like these that directly affect us, we should be able to vote.
"Many critics of the enfranchisement say other members of a young person’s household would influence their vote.
"This is the exact same justification that the critics of female enfranchisement used, 100 years ago, for 'they were not mature enough’, this is an exact parallel; we are free thinking individuals with diverse opinions.
"I plead for anyone to support this bill, for with even with all these arguments, the real issue is democracy, and it always has been. We have a right to vote."