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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.

Parents

  • I am in favour of 16 / 17 year old young people in the UK being able to vote in the next general election.

    Nearly 100 years ago the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928 granted women the right to vote on equal terms with men, at the age of 21, and it is over 50 years since 18-year-olds gained the right to vote.

    Since then, England has fallen out of step with Scotland and Wales where, since 2016 / 2020 their 16 and 17 year olds have been able to vote in local elections / vote to elect representatives in their devolved parliaments.

    So, to me, it does not feel as though the UK has exactly "rushed" towards the 16 / 17 year olds becoming able to vote in general elections.

    Depending upon the progress (through the current Parliament) of the proposed Elections and Democracy Bill; it would mean that, sometime between now and 4 years time: 16 and 17 year olds will be able to vote in the next general election.

    In the meantime, most 16 / 17 year olds remain in education to age 18 - during which time the civic education framework has the opportunity to help young people explore the topic and to become even more informed and prepared - as they approach their first (earlier) voting age experience.

    Civic duty education of our society's young people is not the sole preserve of schools / colleges / politicians.  Conversations within families and with other trusted adults across our wider communities have their role to play too.  I believe everyone should expect and support conversations with our young people - as they navigate this news of voting age change.

    Within other countries e.g. Sweden: they have the concept of "the total defence framework" (a combined framework including both military and civil defence duties).  In Sweden, all citizens between the ages of 16 and 70, regardless of gender, are liable for service within the total defence framework.

    If the UK were to ever, potentially, find it necessary to formalise and extend in practice; it's own concept of "whole-society resilience": to me, it would seem reasonable that 16 / 17 year olds, via election voting rights, ought to be part of shaping the electorate's feedback on the mandate for the government of the day.

Reply

  • I am in favour of 16 / 17 year old young people in the UK being able to vote in the next general election.

    Nearly 100 years ago the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928 granted women the right to vote on equal terms with men, at the age of 21, and it is over 50 years since 18-year-olds gained the right to vote.

    Since then, England has fallen out of step with Scotland and Wales where, since 2016 / 2020 their 16 and 17 year olds have been able to vote in local elections / vote to elect representatives in their devolved parliaments.

    So, to me, it does not feel as though the UK has exactly "rushed" towards the 16 / 17 year olds becoming able to vote in general elections.

    Depending upon the progress (through the current Parliament) of the proposed Elections and Democracy Bill; it would mean that, sometime between now and 4 years time: 16 and 17 year olds will be able to vote in the next general election.

    In the meantime, most 16 / 17 year olds remain in education to age 18 - during which time the civic education framework has the opportunity to help young people explore the topic and to become even more informed and prepared - as they approach their first (earlier) voting age experience.

    Civic duty education of our society's young people is not the sole preserve of schools / colleges / politicians.  Conversations within families and with other trusted adults across our wider communities have their role to play too.  I believe everyone should expect and support conversations with our young people - as they navigate this news of voting age change.

    Within other countries e.g. Sweden: they have the concept of "the total defence framework" (a combined framework including both military and civil defence duties).  In Sweden, all citizens between the ages of 16 and 70, regardless of gender, are liable for service within the total defence framework.

    If the UK were to ever, potentially, find it necessary to formalise and extend in practice; it's own concept of "whole-society resilience": to me, it would seem reasonable that 16 / 17 year olds, via election voting rights, ought to be part of shaping the electorate's feedback on the mandate for the government of the day.

Children