THE Isle of Wight Green Party said it was not putting anyone forward for the Whippingham by-election because its strongest strongest candidate — a 16 year old — was too young to stand.

Four parties have already thrown their hat in the ring — the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Labour and Island Independents.

The seat was formerly occupied by Julia Baker-Smith.

Although the Green Party had previously said it would put someone forward, it announced today (Thursday) that electoral legislation had prevented it from fielding its strongest candidate.

A spokesperson for the party said: “16-year-old Cameron Palin, campaigns officer for the local party and a student at Cowes Enterprise College, is blocked from standing for election merely because of his age.

“Cameron has been heavily involved in challenging the council on its mismanagement of the Cowes Floating Bridge, the campaign to save the ice rink in Ryde, and has been a committee member for Isle of Wight Pride for the last two years.”

Cameron said: “It would have an absolute honour to stand for the Green Party in the Whippingham and Osborne ward, however, our electoral system has let us down once again.

“We must lower the voting age to 16 and allow young people like myself to stand for office, as there is a sheer lack of diversity of age, sex, race, religion and culture in elected office at all levels — whether on a parish council or in Parliament.

“Young people’s voices are typically ignored and suppressed under this electoral system.”

The Green Party will not put forward an alternative candidate.

Nationally, the Green Party has supported lowering the voting age to 16.

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