Sir Richard Branson has called for the voting age to be lowered to 16 following the UK’s vote for a Brexit, arguing throughout history young people have repeatedly been proven to be right.

Sir Richard has been staunchly pro-EU throughout the campaign and on Monday urged Parliament to reconsider leaving the European Union following calls and petitions for a second referendum.

In just a few days since the results were confirmed, the Virgin founder claimed the prospect of Brexit had "fractured the country more than any other event in recent memory".

In a blog post shared on Tuesday morning, Sir Richard acknowledged the typical differentiating voting trends between the older and younger generations.

“While democracy is based on the popular vote, we should not dismiss the voices and pleas of those that end up on the other side of the verdict – especially in this case, as young people will be most affected by the decision, moving forward,” he wrote.

The 65-year-old then suggested the voting age be lowered to 16, disputing the belief held by some that the young are too ill-equipped to vote because, he argues, they have often ended up being “on the right side of history”. He also proposed that, thanks to social media, young people are more “interested, motivated and informed” than ever before.

EU referendum - in pictures Show all 18 1 /18 EU referendum - in pictures EU referendum - in pictures A woman in a wheelchair with British and European Union flags shows her support for the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union on the day of the EU Referendum in Gibraltar Getty Images EU referendum - in pictures A polling station being used in the EU referendum at Batley Town Hall in the constituency Labour MP Jo Cox PA EU referendum - in pictures People arrive to vote in the EU Referendum at the Library where British MP Jo Cox was shot and fatally wounded last week in Birstall EPA EU referendum - in pictures A man arrives to vote at a polling station for the Referendum on the European Union in north London REUTERS EU referendum - in pictures Voters queue to enter a polling station at Trinity Church in Golders Green in London Getty Images EU referendum - in pictures British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha Cameron leave after voting in the EU Referendum at Central Methodist Hall, Westminster Getty Images EU referendum - in pictures Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn cast his vote at a polling station at Pakeman Primary School in Islington Getty Images EU referendum - in pictures Chelsea pensioners arrive at a polling station near to the Royal Chelsea Hospital PA EU referendum - in pictures A woman wearing an "I'm In" t-shirt, promoting the official "Remain" campaign, leaves a polling station in London AFP/Getty Images EU referendum - in pictures People queuing outside a polling station on Amott Road in London PA EU referendum - in pictures Scotland's First Minister and Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon and her husband Peter Murrell, react as leave after casting their votes at a polling station at Broomhouse Community Hall in east Glasgow AFP/Getty Images EU referendum - in pictures A man wearing a European themed cycling jersey leaves after voting at a polling station for the Referendum on the European Union in north London REUTERS EU referendum - in pictures Ukip leader Nigel Farage arrives to cast his vote at Cudham Church of England Primary School in Biggin Hill, Kent PA EU referendum - in pictures Justice Secretary and prominent 'Vote Leave' campaigner Michael Gove poses with his wife Sarah Vine after voting in the European Union referendum at their local polling station in Kensington Getty EU referendum - in pictures Nuns leave a polling station after voting in the EU Referendum in London EPA EU referendum - in pictures People arrive to cast their ballots in the EU Referendum in Gibraltar. The United Kingdom and its dependant territories are going to the polls to decide whether or not the the United Kingdom will remain in the European Union Getty Images EU referendum - in pictures A man driving a van covered in stickers urging people to vote for the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union drives outside a polling station on the day of the EU Referendum in Gibraltar Getty Images EU referendum - in pictures A sign on a gable wall in Belfast's, Loyalist Tigers Bay urging voters to leave the EU using scripture from Revelation 18:4, as voters head to the polls across the UK in a historic referendum on whether the UK should remain a member of the European Union or leave PA

“The opinions of the young are often cast aside, with claims that they are selfish, unknowing and ill-equipped to make important choices. This couldn’t be further from the truth,” he wrote. “By 16-years-old I’d left school to run my own business, student magazine, and together with thousands of other young people organised big and powerful marches to protest the Vietnam War. History proved us right, and many of the adults of the day wrong. Today the young are once again on the right side of history.”

Sir Richard concluded his post by summarising young people “should have a greater steer in making decisions about the future” given that they will be the leaders of the future.

73 per cent of 18-24 year old’s voted for Britain to remain in the EU in the historic referendum which took place last Thursday, compared to 27 per cent who voted to leave. In stark contrast, 60 per cent of over 65s voted to Leave while 40 per cent voted to Remain. Ultimately, the Leave campaign clinched victory with 52 per cent of the vote.

Estimates on how 16 and 17-year-olds hypothetically may have voted vary but it’s roundly deemed it would have been a clear majority vote for Remain. On the day of the referendum, a YouGov poll estimated 75 per cent would have voted to Remain while The Student Room placed that figure higher at 82 per cent.