Labour’s Wythenshawe MP, Mike Kane, has blasted UKIP’s deputy leader for suggesting 16-year-olds are too naive and gullible to be given the vote.

UKIP’s Paul Nuttall says he is against Labour’s plans to reduce the voting age to 16, should they win the general election, claiming they don’t have enough life experience to make sound judgements when voting.

Mr Nutall said:”It is perfectly obvious why Labour have committed to introducing this measure within a year of taking power – naive youngsters tend to have Utopian dreams of life and can be more gullible.

“They are also subjected to pro-EU propaganda lessons which is a ethically wrong and is also an abuse of taxpayers money. As they grow older and experience first hand making their way in the world they are better able to make reasoned judgements.

But Mr Kane, hit back saying young people are becoming more engaged and should be given the vote.

He said: “I am not sure what Mr Nuttall means about 16 year olds having no life experience. He himself is no horny handed son of toil.

“As I go around the constituency visiting schools, our youth groups and youth council I find young people who are engaged and interested in politics, organising clean ups and working to change the area in which they live for the better. Why shouldn’t they be entitled to vote?”

Mr Nutall added: “There is no doubt that young people should be encouraged to vote, after all today’s changes affect their tomorrows, but instead of lowering the age limit they should be properly educated about the relevance of politics to their lives,” he said.