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Scotsnet

Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

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Original poster

16 year old MSPs

19 replies

Timezones · 14/12/2022 21:52

So now we're looking at 16 year olds representing us in the Scottish Parliament, doing constituency business, etc. Presumably while continuing with their school education. Does the SNP believe in the parliamentary system, or do they just want MSPs who are easier to manipulate? So much for life experience / taking the job seriously / acting in the interests of your constituents.
This is being discussed on the Feminist section of MN, where darker motives are suspected.

OP posts:

midgetastic · 15/12/2022 07:47

Is it fair to a child to be having that level of responsibility ?

BinBandit · 15/12/2022 08:18

Personally I'd be raising it to 26. Not that younger people don't deserve an input on our future or that they couldn't be a competent representative, but I'd like all public representatives to have had an actual job.

Younger people can get their views heard in other ways.

TrixJax · 15/12/2022 08:21

I have DC this age and there's no way I would vote for a schoolchild 16 year old (or even an 18 year old) to represent my constituency in parliament whatever political party they represent.

There views on life are far too narrow and it encourages "career politicians" who have no rich life experiences in other areas to bring to the parliament.

Beginningless · 15/12/2022 08:25

You used to not be able to be a social worker til 26 or something like that, even now it would be 20/21 at earliest by time they get their degree. I’m all for more consultation and better listening to young people but to be an MSP at 16 is an outrageous level of responsibility. It’s performative virtue signalling without co side ring the real life implications, which are massive.

Y0uCann0tBeSer10us · 15/12/2022 17:15

Children as MSPs now? Not old enough to drive or get a credit card, but old enough to understand the complexities and full implications of making legislation? Sometimes I wonder if the top brass at SNP HQ have some kind of bet going about exactly how far they can push the Scottish electorate with clear bullshit before people stop voting for them.

BlueThursday · 15/12/2022 17:43

Not to worry; their Named Person will be able to help them out…

LlynTegid · 15/12/2022 17:46

If you are at school, you should not be able to be a councillor, MSP, MP or other elected representative.

CharityShopChic · 15/12/2022 17:53

We have that wee laddie Ross Greer "representing" us on the regional list. Went to school, did a year at Uni, got elected. Still lives at home with mum and dad. His life experience is... limited.

Even more limited would be the life experience of a 16 year old who has just done their national 5s. Fucking joke, but hardly a surprise.

Catsolitude · 16/12/2022 10:06

But according to the SNP brains are not fully formed until 25 or some bullshit so how does that tally? I’m so over all this utter crap now.

RumblePhish · 16/12/2022 11:21

My DC (who is 16) has expressed amazement to me that she and her peers are allowed to vote.

Rearleft · 19/12/2022 18:06

Well poor Derek Mackay he had to text a 16 year old schoolboy. How much easier would it been if he was his 16 year old MSP work colleague ?
And yes that is below the belt or is it? but I am sick to death of the Scottish Govt - SNP and their meddling with children be it puberty blockers or whatever

VaddaABeetch · 19/12/2022 18:25

Imagine if you called a plumber & a 16 year old arrived? You’d laugh.

DanseAvecLesLoups · 19/12/2022 18:30

Do they take constitute surgery notes using alphabet spaghetti?

65paperbags · 19/12/2022 19:11

Someone who wants to introduce this obviously has zero belief in the constituency system. Or in parliamentary democracy. Or in child safeguarding. Or in education. Or...

TheMarzipanDildo · 19/12/2022 19:16

That’s dumb.

BinBandit · 19/12/2022 19:48

The only thing they have belief in in this regard is that they have suitably brain washed children to support them and that their existing supporters will literally vote for SNP regardless of the competence of the candidate.

RumblePhish · 19/12/2022 22:07

VaddaABeetch · 19/12/2022 18:25

Imagine if you called a plumber & a 16 year old arrived? You’d laugh.

That’s very true. Clearly so much easier to be an MSP.

Northernsouloldies · 21/12/2022 06:35

Sturgeon /swinney, right we've used up a the cash on the ferries, failed buy a bike scheme n all the other bribery athing is for free policies. What can we do next, sturgeon let kids be msp candidates. 😁

Workerbeep · 21/12/2022 07:03

I disagree with this idea.

however, I think most voters won’t be bothered as long as the candidate is local and nice. I see it all the time in community council, so further up the feeding trough won’t be any different.
Easily manipulated and voter apathy seems to be the most important ideals.

I don’t recognise Scotland very much these days.

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