Liberal Democrats believe Age is no barrier to standing for election

3.02.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 30th Apr 2007

Responding to a leaflet put out by a Liberal Democrat candidate in Rugby and subsequent comments by her agent, Adam Teladia from West Midlands Liberal Democrat Youth & Students said "Liberal Democrats across the country will strongly disagree with the views expressed by Cllr Ravenhall both in what he has said to the press and the leaflet he wrote for our candidate.

"This is the most inclusive party in British politics. Age should never be a barrier to standing for elected office whether you are 18 or 80. In Wolverhampton we have a candidate who is 18 and one who is 90. Both are capable of standing up for their communities and representing their constituents if they were elected.

"We have the youngest MP in Scotland, Youngest MP in England and Youngest MP in Wales. In every opinion poll amongst students at the last election the Liberal Democrats came top. We are the only party that is consistently talking positively about young people not demonising them as others like to do. It would be a shame if one persons views were to be taken as the views of the entire party."