To think parents should be given a proxy vote for their children

[OldLondonDad]

Bit of a random topic for AIBU, but since we've had a few threads recently on politics and taxes, why not?...

A decade or so ago I thought it seemed that those who will impacted most by today's policies have the least (no!) say in them. Our politics are largely shaped by the vote of the oldest section of society and the youngest just have to live with it.

Solution? Give parents an extra vote per child. They will be highly likely to use it in the way that benefits their child, so the country's policies will be more likely to favour the young (and the future of the country) rather than the old.

There's a name for the concept - demeny voting. It gets considered here and there in various countries, but what does mumsnet think?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demeny_voting

(no I'm not a journalist / politician / think-tank analyst etc., just a regular dad)

If people honestly considered their children’s interests when they voted, there would be no need for your scheme.

Do we really want the people with lots of young kids, having all the votes?

Your idea also implies that old people don't have a stake in the future, but most will have children and grandchildren, so why are they any less likely to care than parents?

No, but I think there is a solid argument to lower the age of voting to 16.

I'm not against this, but I don't honestly see how those two years would make much of a difference either way.

If people honestly considered their children’s interests when they voted, there would be no need for your scheme.

The most shocking thing is the fact so many don't do this.

Yes it's a strange old world when an 18 year old us called 'old!

"all people are equal but some are more equal than others" George Orwell (paraphrased)

No, there's really not. 16 year olds don't have any life experience.

Parents don't use more resources..this is the same old bollocks that gets trotted out regularly. Parents use the same resources as other adults and then their kids use resources too. In their own right. Just like you did when you were a kid.
Also their kids taxes will pay your pension one day.
Not sure parents should be able to vote for their kids though. I get the idea but I'm not sure you could trust them not to just vote in their own interests just like non parents.

As the Welsh and Scottish parliaments have already done for their elections.

Well why stop there? Why not have proxy votes for potential grandchildren who'll be affected even further ahead?

If you had a child that died I presume their vote is cancelled?

Of course us Childless bastards can just suck it up. What's the bloody point of us anyway apart of course for paying for your children via taxes.

Also their kids taxes will pay your pension one day.

And the taxes of childfree people are paying for their health, education and child benefits right now.

Those kids will pay your pension one day so you shouldn't resent paying for them now. That's just how it works

Maybe if the people who have votes actually use them. Generally it is the older population who vote, its down to everyone to vote in order to get a true representation.

A friend of mine suggested a basic test to demonstrate you knew what you were voting for, I’m not talking complex stuff, it was questions like “What is Capitalism” and if you don’t know the basics, in her view, you’re not in a position to vote.

I disagreed, partly on principle, partly as I know how bad some people are at tests even if they know their stuff, and partly because it’s completely impossible to implement and would cost a fortune.

But I could see where she was coming from. Makes me think of the Churchill democracy quote:
”It is said that democracy is the worst form of government, except all the others that have been tried from time to time”
He had a point.

I don’t resent paying for other people’s children now. I do resent being seen as a social freeloader because those kids I am currently funding will be paying my pension one day.

I would not have wanted my DF voting on my behalf. You’re just doubling the older vote. Bad idea

Some years ago there was a push to get those that didn't to vote.
The political parties would try and "woo" them.
But the parties seem to be quite happy with what is going on and ignoring what is happening on the political front with various parties gaining popularity.
Maybe its a sign that politicians are too comfy in there position and what they get paid.

Your children may have views diametrically opposed to yours and will not thank you for potentially being party to laws and financial issues they don’t agree with.

Utterly batshit. Democracy is based on one person one vote.

Everyone who's a parent now was childless before.

I was childless for a long time - a lot longer than most parents given I was a much older first time parent than most. I had no problem paying taxes to support children and the services they use (i.e. education) because:

• they're the future of the country
• I expected I'd probably have some one day

So the "what about the childless" argument seems weak.

As to whether a parent would vote in the same way the child would vote if the child could vote - that's not the point. The point is voting in the way that you think best benefits the child, and their future.

Brexit, and the whole debate on the triple-lock are I think good examples where policies that are detrimental to the youngest are enacted because the youngest have no say.

The Brexit referendum was particularly harsh in that it was a decision with massive impacts on a generational timescale, but those who will be living with the consequences of the decision for the longest, had no say in it.

I'd say that's something to be addressed.

Just like todays workers are paying in the same way.

They will be highly likely to use it in the way that benefits their child, so the country's policies will be more likely to favour the young (and the future of the country) rather than the old

If they can be trusted to use it in the way that most benefits their child then, presumably, thy're already doing so...ergo we've got the government they wanted...

Also interested to know why you think 'the old' should be disenfranchised. politically. And who are 'the old' as far as you are concerned. My children are adults but when I voted in 2024 I was very much thinking about the future of the country, considering I'm only in my 40s.

As to whether a parent would vote in the same way the child would vote if the child could vote - that's not the point. The point is voting in the way that you think best benefits the child, and their future.

But as a parent shouldn’t you be using your own vote in the best interests of your children anyway? Why do you need an extra vote?