16 & 17 year olds to be given the vote

[Whereishenow]

Just seen this announcement on BBC now. Amazing news!!! Now we just need to try and get youngsters out USING those votes.

If you can have sex and pay tax - you can vote.

I don’t think this will pan out how Labour expect it to.

The local mock elections the local secondaries had when Labour got in they did not do very well. And it’s these very children they are giving the vote too. Reform, Tory’s and Green did very very well in the ones where I have friends whose children go and my own child’s school voted in reform in their mock.

Totally ridiculous move. As a secondary school teacher, I would say that the majority of 16 year olds do not have the maturity to vote and cannot grasp the complexities of politics, the economy, the NHS, etc. They also do not have the responsibilities of the adult world, eg mortgages/rent; supporting a family; job, so have no understanding of how their vote affects all these areas.

Yes, a tiny fraction of 16 & 17 year olds may work full time and live independently, but the vast majority do not.

The only reason Labour have done this is because they think young voters are idealistic and more likely to have left-wing views. Judging by views I hear expressed in PSHE lessons, they might be in for a shock. In my view, young people are more likely to be drawn to the more extreme parts of the political spectrum, in order to be unconventional.

I would imagine voting intentions will be similar to the 18 to 25 cohort?

Idiocracy here we come. Everyone got their Crocs on?

I agree, but my point is that the same thing applies to the rest of the electorate.

As a cohort, I'm not convinced that 16 and 17 year olds are any less capable of making informed decisions than the rest of the adult population.

As a whole, I think the electorate is spectacularly bad at making informed choices about what might be best for the country. I don't think 16 and 17 year olds will be any better, but I don't think they will be any worse either.

And ultimately, it's their future.

Makes sense from a government run by sixth formers. Another terrible decision, obviously.

I agree that teens should be politically knowledgeable and understand our voting system, the Parties, the manifestos and crucial policies BUT that education and independent learning should be in preparation for voting at age 18.

They learn, they think, they discuss, they form opinions, they listen to opposing views, research, revise their opinions if necessary - all of that is something they can do prior to 18.

This is a cynical popularist move because Labour wants them to vote for their Party, relying on the idea that Labour still has a ‘cool, down with the yoof’ image, and appealing to not fully developed minds.

@Alexandra2001 you use university choices as an example. I've supported hundreds of young people into university. With a tiny exception, all their decision making is highly supported and guided by parents, family or school/college staff. They hardly ever make those decisions for themselves. Universities have whole strategies to get families and schools to guide their kids towards their institutions because they are recognised as so crucial in the decision making process. Your example disproves the point you are trying to make

I'm not a teacher. You appear to want to understand, so I'd suggest you read what I told you again, and again and think about it harder until it makes sense.

Or you can spend your time more usefully. It's completely your choice.

I think it is great. If you are old enough to work, join the forces, have sex, be a parent, drive a motorbike then you are old enough to vote.

I think this may end up backfiring for Labour because children, even older ones, tend to see everything in very black and white terms. I think this will draw them to the emerging extreme parties, on both sides of the spectrum.

Many are likely to be influenced by simplistic "stands to reason" type social media posts, as opposed to a political manifesto. You only have to look at the crap they are influenced/scammed to buy online. Why would they consume politics any differently?

The blurred lines between 16 and 18 and how much they can and cannot do just keep changing. Can they even buy the lottery anymore at 16? Some ages going up and voting coming down.

It shows how desperate Stamer is! It's a stupid idea, teens aren't know for making brilliant decisions..

DS (age 19) thinks it'll be accompanied by a promise that they won't have to repay their student debt to try to get them to vote for Labour...

Reform is not currently on course to get a majority in Wales, even if it has a coalition with Tories. Most likely outcome at the moment is a Plaid led coalition.

@An0n1 you quote me and say my post is unfair. How so? The vast majority of it is stating fact. Indisputable fact about what Children are and are not allowed to do in our society

Personally think it should be increased to 25 when brains mature but I’m not a desperate Labour politician

Will they actually be bothered to vote?
I worked a busy polling station last local elections and there were 4 teens all day, probably 10 more people under 30. Some may have postal voted but chances of getting act together slim, my own dd hadn’t sorted hers she was away at uni.

Only if it's balanced. All my children's state school teachers pedalled left wing dogma. That's fine providing there is also dogma pertaining to other mainstream parties being pedalled.

The school newsletter contained a 6th former's letter supporting the teachers' strike. I asked if the opposing view could be published and did not receive a reply.

At 16 I do not believe there is sufficient maturity or knowledge to vote. My DC are grown up now and at 16, despite being bright and articulate, they were not ready.

Are we going to allow under 18s to marry without permission, drive from 16, bet, drink alcohol, smoke and be responsible and accountable as adults for criminal acts?

Okay so you just don’t want to admit you were wrong and your post doesn’t make sense. Fair enough

That is why they’ve done it, but there is likely to be a party that is even more idealistic being created.

If their intention is to create more a popular party then it could easily get strong support on SM. Reform too is on SM

Younger people get news and entertainment from there more these days. The younger you go the easier for popular on SM parties to do well.

@Reliablesource very well said. I share this experience of working quite extensively with 16/17 year olds.

I'm talking about turnout and how the 16/17 year age group votes, not the final outcome. It's being discussed a lot on SM and there is very strong support for Reform among younger people.

It’s a policy bought in by the labour government because they’re scared they’re going to lose the next election and know that the 16/17 year olds are mostly labour preachers.

If there isn't an app for it most of the teens I know won't be interested.