to think that lowering the voting age to 16 is a stupid idea?

[CrystalTipsandAlista1r]

in fact, I'd rather it was raised to 25.

why? She wants to do something to help people - she's planning on taking politics at A level then uni then nursing - eventually looking to be an MP later on

She is political - nowt wrong with that - not sure why you would

I joined the T+G and Labour Party at 15, was at Greenham most weekends from almost 15 and was very politically active. (still am 32 years later!)

Eh, I was paying her a compliment.

Depends on the person doesn't it. I don't think it matters if someone is 16 or 60. They may vote for different reasons. But plenty out of both groups would make crap, and good decisions.

okay sorry! It's late and I'm not on the ball - I apologise

Np

YANBU. A 16 year old isn't legally mature enough to sign a contract, join the Army and see combat, or have a tattoo. Or drive a car, or have their nipple pierced.

Some things are for adults.

I work with 16 year olds. They’re not mature enough to vote yet.

I work with 16 year olds - some are

some are parents

some live independently

some work

because 16 year olds, in general, haven't got the awareness of the world to make that kind of decision

Neither do many 30, 40 & 50 year olds. Many people who can vote don't fully understand the issues or how what they vote for will impact them, yet we still allow them to vote.

Neither do many 30, 40 & 50 year olds

True. They were the ones who voted for brexit after all.

Honestly, does the political climate right now (here and across the pond) not give you an indiciation that an awful lot of people (and a lot of them older than 25) have no clue about politics? Maybe it would just be best to go back to a time when only rich white men could vote.

I actually think mainstream politics and parties should be discussed in PHSE (is that what it's still called?) lessons, and 16 year olds should be given a fair vote - certainly no different from an ignorant 70 year old being allowed a vote.

KPO yes, so many people know nothing about politics and care even less, yet they can still vote. A woman up the road, in her 30s, said to me "Oh I don't care about politics. I just want a decent school and good hospitals". She voted. God knows who for.

Making it 25 is stupid. As of 18 you are an adult and should be treated as such.
I’m 22, have 2 degrees, own my own home with long term partner and have an excellent job/training scheme. Why on earth should I not vote? Because you don’t like the youth vote?
Lowering to 16 is a bit silly, I was an idiot at 16 ideologically ( looking back that is) , but I could see it brining more young people into politics (good) and stop Teens from feeling disenfranchised and ignored (good).

It’s a toss up really... depends on how big the 16-18 yo population is.

If you're a 16 year old paying tax surely it's only fair to get a say in how it's used by being allowed to vote?

I don't know any 30 yo's who voted for Brexit Toad. Bit of a sweeping statement.

I wouldnt have had a clue at 16 I didn't have much of a clue at 18 I voted natural law? but some 16 yr olds will .

"Well Scotland allowed 16yos to vote and they all voted because they had seen braveheart rather than because they were politically informed"

I hope to fuck that was sarcastic!

Here in Scotland there's modern studies taught, plus political issues are discussed in other subject areas. The young here tend to be politically engaged and seek to be fully informed - which is more than can be said of a lot of older voters, did you SEE some of the reasons people stated ON CAMERA for voting Brexit? Some right numpties!

Geez just watch question time - not just the audience members some of the panellists are clueless! Including the politicians!

My dd works (apprenticeship) pays NI and taxes why SHOULDN'T she get to vote?

I don’t think it’s a bad idea. They’re going to have to live with the consequences of older generations voting for massive changes based on not much more than rumour and Daily mail type headlines.

I disagree on the proviso that some basic information of how our government actually works goes into the school curriculum.

Most 16 year olds I have met are incredibly opinionated - give them the proper tools and information to make a decent decision and I don't see why they shouldn't be allowed to vote.

In the current state of affairs no they shouldn't be allowed to

Some 16 yr olds are mature enough to make those considered decisions, some are not. You could say exactly the same about 40 year olds.
I think if you are paying tax you should have some say in how your government spends it. In other words, a vote.
“No taxation without representation”

If you're old enough to be paying NI and tax, you're old enough to vote. I also think the EU referendum should have been open to anyone of 16 who registered for a vote.

I know a lot of adults that don't bother to vote at all, but bang on about benefits this, NHS that and still do not use their vote. I find that quite irksome.

also, as most young people are left-leaning, it's a cynical ploy by Labour to get more votes.

Ahh, there we go. It’s because they might not vote how you want them to (and how you think they should) vote, so you don’t think they should have the right to.

Yes weezol -

m.youtube.com/watch?v=zruGBWLk9s8

My ex didn't vote when I first met him because "politics don't affect me" he was in the sodding army!! I started similar to the ad pointing out ALL the things that bugged him that were affected by 'politics'

And actually if they DO vote more labour than Tory

A I don't see that as a bad thing

B you can't prevent people from voting because you don't like HOW they vote

C it would redress the current imbalance as most pensioners (demographic most likely to vote) tend to vote right wing mainly Tory but also parties like ukip.

If they’re not allowed to vote, they shouldn’t be required to pay tax.