Who thinks the voting age should be lowered to 16?
Discuss issues related to the politics of the UK, such as the actions of any MP, any current or potential law, or any other factor affecting the British political system.
| Announcements | Posted on | |
|---|---|---|
| Enter our travel-writing competition for the chance to win a Nikon 1 J3 camera | 21-05-2013 | |
-
- Reputation:
- Thread Starter
- Junior Member
- Posts: 73
Who thinks the voting age should be lowered to 16?In an argument against this, many people often say, "they can't buy cigarettes, drive, etc., etc." But I think this is a valuable thing! It gives youngsters a "say" in our society, and will maybe stop them rebelling so much... And those who are going to say, "they're not mature enough," I think there should be a questionnaire for under 18s to see if they "deserve" their vote, or at least won't throw it away. The results should all be given on the same day, to stop people telling each other how to get the vote.
Ha ha, I think way too deeply into everything- I know. :-) -
- Reputation:
- Exalted Member
- Location: Cambridge
- Posts: 335
Re: Who thinks the voting age should be lowered to 16?I used to be in support of lowering the voting age to 16, but I've changed my views now I'm 18. In my opinion there is a big gap between 16 and 18, and I feel like I've grown up a lot/matured in between. So in answer to your question, I don't think the voting age should be lowered.
-
- Reputation:
- Exalted Member
- Posts: 320
Re: Who thinks the voting age should be lowered to 16?Well, it's a good question. Overall though, I think you are still immature at 16 (relative, of course, to 18) like the previous poster said. Also, younger minds are much more easily influenced. There are plenty of 16 year old votes that would be fair and well thought out, but not many.
-
- Reputation:
- Exalted and Worshipped Member
Re: Who thinks the voting age should be lowered to 16?No. And I'm 16.
Do you really want the even more idiots voting? Don't neg me, as I said, I'm 16 myself. If you gave everyone in my year a vote, my constituency would be fudged.
If I had my way you wouldn't even be allowed to vote until you reached the age of an "elder". -
- Reputation:
- Exalted and Worshipped Member
Re: Who thinks the voting age should be lowered to 16?**** mahhn! And then they should actually listen when we tell them to stop sending cowards to shoot innocents in Afgahnistan!(Original post by multiplexing-gamer)
If you have to pay tax at 16, then you should have a say on who runs the country. Afterall, they're spending your money. -
- Reputation:
- Exalted and Worshipped Member
- Location: London
- Posts: 1,028
Re: Who thinks the voting age should be lowered to 16?simply no...
- they are too easily swayed by politicians, and many (my bro and his friends for example) has no real knowledge or opinions of politics and how the country is/should be run
- almost all of them don't pay tax or earn a significant amount -
- Reputation:
- Exalted and Worshipped Member
Re: Who thinks the voting age should be lowered to 16?"EDL, EDL, EDL" chanters x 10,000+ sound rational?(Original post by xanadu_21)
yes - 16 year olds I think are old enough to make a rational decision. also, would allow for the interests of that particular age group to be paid more attention to. -
- Reputation:
- Peer Of The TSR Realm
- Posts: 1,432
Re: Who thinks the voting age should be lowered to 16?I don't think it will work. Most 18 year olds don't know enough or care about the economy: all they know is that if the economy is doing bad, there spending power will decrease. By further reducing this to 16..I doubt the countries elections would be in better hands if voters would know less about critical issues, and therefore less able to assess who is the best candidate for the job of Prime Minister.
-
- Reputation:
- Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
- Location: Mount Fuji
- Posts: 3,870
Re: Who thinks the voting age should be lowered to 16?How has 'sending cowards to Afghanistan' have any relevence to the voting age? Where is the evidence for them shooting innocent people in Afghan? It's a very dangerous and scary place, you can't see the taliban. They dont have Uniform and merge with community - guerilla tactics. Just like in Vietnam, age isn't going to help you when you have camouflaged terroists in a sea of innocent people.(Original post by InvertedLayman)
**** mahhn! And then they should actually listen when we tell them to stop sending cowards to shoot innocents in Afgahnistan! -
- Reputation:
- Exalted and Worshipped Member
Re: Who thinks the voting age should be lowered to 16?This.(Original post by littlemissmidget123)
simply no...
- they are too easily swayed by politicians, and many (my bro and his friends for example) has no real knowledge or opinions of politics and how the country is/should be run
- almost all of them don't pay tax or earn a significant amount -
- Reputation:
- Peer Of The TSR Realm
- Posts: 1,806
Re: Who thinks the voting age should be lowered to 16?Yes - those who have little interest in politics will just not vote anyway, and those who do deserve a say in how our society is governed considering that at that age they can take a full part in it.
-
- Reputation:
- Full Member
Re: Who thinks the voting age should be lowered to 16?lol - but i'm sure loads of them were over 18, besides - not all 16 and 17 year olds are completely radical. they have legitimate interests and it is not fair that they are not considered sufficiently in government policies, e.g. university fees...(Original post by InvertedLayman)
"EDL, EDL, EDL" chanters x 10,000+ sound rational? -
- Reputation:
- TSR Demigod
- Location: Viktoria
- Posts: 6,071
Re: Who thinks the voting age should be lowered to 16?Old enough to pay tax, old enough to have a say on how it's spent.
There is a lot of unsavoury political attitudes amongst left-wing 6th formers, but I do feel that an apprentice working in a trade has every right to political representation on the same basis as his older colleagues.
