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Lowering the voting age

Peter

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c628ep4j5kno

So the labour party apparently believes that 16 and 17-year-olds are old enough to vote. But not old enough to:

  • Leave school
  • Hold down a full-time job
  • Buy a plastic knife
  • Play the lottery
  • Buy alcohol
  • Smoke
  • Sue someone in court without permission
  • Get married (in England and Wales)
  • Watch porn
  • Make porn
  • Go to war
  • Stand for parliament

Now in my mind voting is one of the most adult things you can do. You are taking responsibility for the running of the country (indirectly). So my question, and it is a serious question for debate, if 16 and 17-year-olds can be expected to vote what other adult things could they reasonably expect to do.

For the record I personally am in favour of reducing the voting age but I do think it produces important inconsistencies that should probably be addressed. At the very least you should be able to stand in the elections you are voting for. If a 16-year-old can vote for an MP they should be allowed to be an MP.

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  • in reply to Stuart333

    The survey also stated that 32% of those willing to vote would vote Labour, followed by 20% who would vote Reform. The Conservatives came in last at 10%.

  • in reply to Stuart333

    Just because your brain is in a stage of plasticity to my mind should'nt stop you from being able to vote, who you vote for isn't a permanent desicion, many people vote for different parties at every election. As for maturity I see many people my age and younger who I would consider to immature to vote, or frankly to stupid.

    This bill was in the Labour manifesto, so they're fulfilling that pledge.

    Farage has a huge following on tiktok so don't bet that all young people or even the majority are far left.

  • in reply to Stuart333
    Stuart333 said:
    Seems like it is not that big a deal.

    The issue is that Labour have around 63% of all seats in parliment so can easily push through a bill like this if their members are on board.

    On that subject, for the party to have 63% control of power based on only 20% of the potential voters who actually voted for them (or just 14% of the population) is a poor reflection of our democracy.