Labour wants to let 16 & 17 year olds vote?

Scroll to see replies

Reply 80

xleoanimusx

Couldn't think of a worse idea, Labour are a joke. Personally I think 18 is too young..

Reply 81

The Dictator

Original post by PetrosAC

The fact that I can go and start a family or get married, but can't put a cross in a box on a piece of paper is ridiculous.

Posted from TSR Mobile

So that's what you think it is? A cross in a box on piece of paper? That's all?

I think that's summed up everything wrong with giving young people the vote.

Reply 82

PetrosAC

Original post by The Dictator

So that's what you think it is? A cross in a box on piece of paper? That's all?

I think that's summed up everything wrong with giving young people the vote.

I don't think thats all it is. I'm an AS Politics student. I'm a member of the TSR MHoC. I'm a member of The Liberal Youth. I'm knowledgable. I know who I'd vote for. I know who I will vote for.

My comment about a cross in a box is me commenting on the simplicity of the FPTP system. A system which anyone could understand. There are plenty of people of all ages that are ignorant and naive when it comes to politics and there are plenty of 16 and 17 year olds who are not.

I also work part-time, why should I pay tax without having the choice of how it's spent?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 83

The Dictator

Original post by PetrosAC

Perhaps you shouldn't pay tax at all?

Reply 84

PetrosAC

Original post by The Dictator

Perhaps you shouldn't pay tax at all?

Perhaps, nevertheless, I do currently. Surely anyone paying tax should have the right to vote?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 85

jackmichaeljmh

I agree with the comments about naivety, but being a 16-17 yr old who is desperate to vote this year, I feel it's only right for is to have a say on what will happen during what is basically the five years that will shape the rest of our lives... Also, I think it is more than 1 in 100 who are interested in politics, and that ratio would definitely decrease if out opinion actually counted for something. And anyone who didn't care what happened, would surely not bother to register in the first place?

Reply 86

The Dictator

Original post by PetrosAC

Perhaps, nevertheless, I do currently. Surely anyone paying tax should have the right to vote?

Posted from TSR Mobile

My opinion is that if you are old enough to be taxed, you are old enough to vote. I am against 16-17-year-olds having the vote, but if that is going to be the case, we should not force them to pay taxes either.

Reply 87

kkboyk

If they are going to let 16-17yr old vote, wouldn't they encourage schools to teach politics to some extent?

Reply 88

Teaddict

The notion that 16 and 17 year olds are not sufficiently interested in politics and therefore turnout would be low is absolutely no argument against enfranchising the young. From my perspective, we need to approach this from a position of consistency. We currently allow 16 year olds to pay taxation on their income, as well as join the armed forces and, under particular circumstances, get married. We allow 16 year olds to engage in many activities that we consider to be within the realm of adulthood and yet we deny them the vote? As far as I am concerned, if someone is old enough to pay tax, they are also old enough to vote.

Reply 89

HigherMinion

I could have sworn I had posted in this thread already, but I'll remake my post. Thanks, mods.

Several reasons why children don't vote.
1. Incentive
2. Manipulability
3. Consequence

The state do not take care of children: parents do. The more the state interfere with family affairs, the less cohesive people become as citizens. The fact that most children are forced into comprehensive education and taught to regurgitate socialist talking points in school before being able to think critically about the topic means children can be manipulated far easier than adults.

The consequences of children not having the vote are null as they do not, on the whole, work or have any dependents.

Reply 90

PetrosAC

Original post by HigherMinion

So you're happy to have us pay tax or join the armed forces, but not to vote because we've been manipulated to be 'lefty'?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 91

Zander01

Original post by HigherMinion

I could have sworn I had posted in this thread already, but I'll remake my post. Thanks, mods. Several reasons why children don't vote. 1. Incentive 2. Manipulability 3. Consequence The state do not take care of children: parents do. The more the state interfere with family affairs, the less cohesive people become as citizens. The fact that most children are forced into comprehensive education and taught to regurgitate socialist talking points in school before being able to think critically about the topic means children can be manipulated far easier than adults. The consequences of children not having the vote are null as they do not, on the whole, work or have any dependents.

do you consider 16/17 year olds to be children?

or are you simple posting irrelevant nonsense?

its funny that the same arguments for 16/17 year olds not voting, are similar tk
ones back when women could not vote. "Oh they are naive and not interested in politics anyway".

Reply 92

HigherMinion

Original post by PetrosAC

So you're happy to have us pay tax or join the armed forces, but not to vote because we've been manipulated to be 'lefty'?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Do what you like. Fill your boots. I would make the same argument if they were indoctrinating children with right wing ideas, the point is they are being manipulated. No bueno for democracy.

Reply 93

PetrosAC

Original post by HigherMinion

Do what you like. Fill your boots. I would make the same argument if they were indoctrinating children with right wing ideas, the point is they are being manipulated. No bueno for democracy.

But you're still happy for us to pay tax and join the Armed forces?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 94

whorace

It's one of many dumb policies parties have which are by no means a priority. The other one that grates my gears is the introduction of a written constitution.

Reply 95

HigherMinion

Original post by PetrosAC

But you're still happy for us to pay tax and join the Armed forces?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Yes? Have you read my post properly?

Reply 96

PetrosAC

Original post by HigherMinion

Yes? Have you read my post properly?

That's ridiculous. The fact that I'm paying tax but can't choose how the tax is spent or just who spends it is a complete shambles.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 97

kaboo

Original post by PetrosAC

As a 16 year old, I think I deserve to have the right to vote. Why should the next 5 years of my life, arguably the most important years of my life, be determined by everyone else without getting a say. I'll agree that the majority of 16-17 year olds are immature and apathetic, but the fact is, there will always be immature and/or apathetic people at every age. The fact that I can go and start a family or get married, but can't put a cross in a box on a piece of paper is ridiculous.

Posted from TSR Mobile

I agree completely- I'm 17 and am just missing out on voting, which is quite infuriating. I have more of an interest in politics than a lot of my friends, who are 18/19. I'd love to be able to vote, considering all of the parties have very different ideas about university, which is my main concern at the moment.

Reply 98

HigherMinion

Original post by PetrosAC

That's ridiculous. The fact that I'm paying tax but can't choose how the tax is spent or just who spends it is a complete shambles.

Posted from TSR Mobile

You're getting lairy. Calm down, geezer.