19 year old in charge of Children’s Services for Leicestershire Council

And that's the kind of divisive hyperbolic bullshit that has led to Reform getting such a political footing in the UK.

Write off millions of voters as thick as pigshit, racist and misogynistic and you are not only incorrect, but playing into the hands of those parties.

The feelings of superiority of Remain, anti-Trump and anti-Reform posters who just want to discard millions of people, their thoughts. experiences, feelings and opinions as just thick, racist and misogynistic is how those movements have gained political power.

I wouldn't vote Reform in a million years but know many people who do and have, and they're not thick as pigshit, racist or misogynistic but your attitude of dismissing any of their concerns as such has driven them to a party they think represents them.

And that's democracy. Either you believe political power lies in the hands of the people who vote in governments and councils. Or you believe in a different system where people who you judge as 'thick as pigshit' shouldn't get a say or a vote which would necessitate another non-democratic system of government.

What system would be better in your opinion, where the people you judge as 'thick' don't get a say?

Not me. If it was up to me, I'd put the voting age it up to 21...

Really? a quick Google found this.....

Less than 1% of councillors are aged under 25
Under 1% of councillors serving on local councils are aged under 25, new research has revealed.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has called on younger people to stand for election following the results of their Councillor Census Survey.

I believe he does, or he certainly did.

There is quite a big difference between exercising your democratic right to vote and taking on lead responsibility for the strategic oversight of Children's Services for an entire county.

I would like to see a more graded approach. Vote at 16. Able to stand for public office from 18. Able to assume responsibility for a specific portfolio from 25.

If people think that 16yos are too young to vote, it seems absurd to suggest that they will be ready to make significant decisions with serious implications just a couple of years later.

Does he actually live in the area? He appears to run an estate agents from an address in N1.

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16113367/officers

Well it does, i had more life experience before I was a legal adult than most of these over grown babies that don't move out of their parents till 25 had when they were 30.

You don't know this young man other than his age so you have no idea how well suited he is to the job. I've come across older people who could barely speak English or barely knew what they were doing, someone being young is far from the worst thing

Well, I don't think it is the only issue. But I do absolutely think it is an issue.

It's too much responsibility at that age imo. Even for a decent 19yo with sound judgment for their age, which this kid patently lacks.

But a lot of people on here wanted the vote for 16 year olds...

There was some hysteria and she still gets grief.

Problem is that being a cabinet member is generally a full time job at a big council, but lots of councillors can’t afford to do it (insecure and probably a much lower salary than their normal job). So they chose to be just a councillor where you get a small allowance (which works out at less than NMW normally) and you have to pick Cabinet from who is left and willing to do it.

Seems to be the main issue from the big overgrown babies on here hence the title of the tread

Why the F is a 19 year old allowed to a councillor? Practically a child. IDGAF if someone is legally classed as an adult at 18, putting someone in the position of a councillor at 19 is ridiculous. 25 should be the minimum age.

Just because someone moved out and had a baby at 16 (as someone mentioned earlier,) that doesn't mean 19 isn't too young to be a councillor.

Also, having a baby when you're 16 doesn't magically make you a super mature, wordly-wise, all-knowing oracle, and it's absolutely ludicrous to use that as an analogy. 🙄

Bloody hell. That's a hell a lot of responsibility for a 19 year old. However sensible and intelligent a 19 year old may be,they just don't have life experience and wisdom. That is why you hardly ever see a Prime Minister or President elected who is under 40.

As far as I'm concerned, no, his age is not the only issue.

Thats the problem with council elections.. People vote for the party not the person, and people who have no idea what the job entails get elected. And you end up with a council where many have no real experience.

Yes, but she is 'under-pundance' aka let us destroy the Union all the way, to the left of left wing therefore not a whisper of criticism from MN - whilst the other one is a rep of the common sense Reform, therefore let us pour shite on this person! Aye.

Is his age the only issue? Not incompetent in any other way? I moved out and had my own child at 16 just because you were a big overgrown child until 25 doesn't mean everyone else is

I don't have an issue with teenagers being councillors per se. I do have an issue with them having their own portfolio.

Mhairi Black was only 20 when she was elected to Parliament.

Loads of councillors are still teenagers.

Way better than 21-year old 'doctors' of FY1 released onto the wards, I think.

Little boy barely out of nappies just wants to patronise working class parents....🤢🤮

Why? Almost 25% of children in private schools are SEN.

Not all private schools are Eton, and places like Eton have children on 100% bursaries.

Yes, the Director is responsible for managing the budget and keeping it on track. If they fail to do so, they may well get sacked.

But it is the elected politicians that make decisions on how budgets are allocated. A collective decision, yes, but the Cabinet lead for each area will have influence over the decision-making for that area.

In practice, of course, where things are working effectively, the Director may well have significant input into how the budget is allocated. However, it is the elected members that ultimately make those decisions. Admittedly, there may be very little wriggle room when it comes to allocating funds for statutory services...if we can be confident that these will still be delivered under a Reform-led council. Time will tell.