Sixteen- and 17-year-olds pay taxes and can join the army, so surely they should in turn be given their right to vote.

There's a loss of faith in the banking system that for so long has been the backbone of prosperity and growth.

Although my seat is a contest between Labour and the Lib Dems, it could well make the difference between a Labour and a Tory government at the next election. In terms of international development, this choice is a very clear one.

You're wrong if you think young people don't deserve the vote.

At its most basic the democratic contract is a simple one: the right to vote comes with a responsibility to society, through tax payments and citizenship.

Funding for sports (and the arts) are often the first things facing the chop in difficult times.

People rightly want our political leaders - on all sides - to concentrate on minimising the damage to jobs, living standards and our savings from the banking crisis.