The video will start in 8 Cancel

What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Tory MPs have a defeated a bid to let 16 and 17-year-olds vote in the EU referendum despite pleas from Labour and the SNP.

Youth campaigners have slammed the government for sticking to its guns instead of opening up what could have been England's first major poll for under-18s.

Labour's acting leader Harriet Harman led a Commons bid today to overturn the ban during the in-out vote, which will be held before the end of 2017.

Her amendment came after activists said teens needed a say on their futures - and argued opening up the Scottish referendum to 16-year-olds raised turnout to 85%.

But the bid was defeated by 310 votes to 265 after some MPs said 16-year-olds weren't mature enough.

Chairman of the British Youth Council Mita Desai said: "Common sense has lost and the Government have chosen to silence the voices of 16 and 17 year olds over their future.

"To say this is disappointing is an understatement. The British Youth Council will continue, as we always have, to fight for this right.”

During the debate SNP MP Stephen Gethins said: "There's overwhelming evidence from the Scottish independence referendum that extendignthe franchise for 16-year-olds is a good thing to democratic participation from an early age.

"As the Electoral Reform Society said, vote early and vote often throughout life.

"There's no time like the present folks. We've all been elected here to make decisions. And let's make it tonight. Let's give young people the opportunity."

There were some MPs who didn't vote with their parties.

(Image: PA)

Sarah Wollaston, one of three Tory Rebels, said 16-year-olds should be given the vote because it would 'balance' a political debate that leaves youth out of the picture.

And Labour's Barry Sheerman opposed the move, claiming it'd make 16-year-olds 'adults' and therefore more vulnerable to sexual abuse.

MPs also voted down a bid to overturn a ban on 1.5m EU nationals taking part in the referendum - despite complaints from some who've lived in Britain for decades.

There was anger when the government revealed it'd block migrants from taking part, even though British ex-pats are free to vote.

One critic, Dr Mike Ward, said: "So 'Brits' who don't live here will be able to vote but 'foreigners' who do live here (eg my wife - here since 1985) won't."

poll loading Should 16-year-olds be able to vote in the EU referendum? 500+ VOTES SO FAR YES NO

Another Twitter user complained: "Dear UK, since I won't be allowed to vote in #EUref , you'll give my taxes back for last 20 years, right? RIGHT?"

Labour and the Tories joined together to defeat an SNP bid for EU nationals to vote - with the amendment defeated by 514 votes to 71.

MPs from the SNP, the only major party to back the amendment, hit out at Labour for joining the Tories.

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson said the decision was 'sad' while MP Paul Monaghan said it was 'shocking'.

Read more: What is the European Union and why are we a member?