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Everyday Ageism

Too old to vote

(104 Posts)
WoodGreenie Thu 17-Jan-19 10:25:44

Saw in the news today that some young singer is saying that people over 75 shouldn't be allowed to vote because they won't live long enough to see the consequences of their vote.

Oh the folly of youth!

sarahellenwhitney Fri 18-Jan-19 14:59:04

WoodGreenie The singer? needs to stay singing.

Mycatisahacker Fri 18-Jan-19 14:43:33

Actually I would hire it to include those born 1964 onwards.

They remember the horrors of the left wing so would never vote for Corbyn and they remember the horror of Thatcher so never vote for Boris or his ilk.

A nice sensible centre party needed. grin

CarlyD7 Fri 18-Jan-19 14:12:11

I think it's more about the fact that we have an ageing population - so, as a percentage, young people are a minority group, which seems unfair to me. As we're living longer, so older people are now the majority, maybe it's time to lower the voting age to 16, rather than removing it at 75?

Mycatisahacker Fri 18-Jan-19 13:39:43

The young people think the old people are fools!

The old people know the young people are fools.

Miss Marple grin

Legs55 Fri 18-Jan-19 13:26:10

I'd love some-one to tell my soon to be 90 year old DM that she can no longer votegrin

The young tend to be idealists & easily swayed. Opinions often change as we gain experience of life. I believe the voting age should remain at 18 with no upper limit, after all if prisoners can votehmm

wellwalked Fri 18-Jan-19 13:25:47

POGS is right about the nasty divisive politics. But it seems to be a reflection of the wider society.
All opinions seem to attract hateful name-calling and smears unless they agree with the hater.
Imo all those calling for another referendum are diminishing my right to my honest, deeply considered, already cast vote, regardless of my age.
They are willing to force me to vote again.
I await the name-calling.

Conni7 Fri 18-Jan-19 13:09:23

Just when I was wondering how on earth I could vote next time, this will save me the bother!!

Granfran Fri 18-Jan-19 12:40:38

Well said GrandmaMoira. Yet another sweeping generalisation. Our generation have had the benefit of learning from history. We voted with our GCs in mind too. Frankly couldn’t care less about the opinion of some pop singer ~ still it got her name all over the media so thats what really matters presumably ?

Foxyferret Fri 18-Jan-19 12:30:55

Bad publicity better than no publicity. She just likes to stir things up to revive her failing career. Sorry, I forgot, she didn’t have a career, as far as I remember, just one instantly forgettable song. The suffragettes fought for the vote for women not women of a certain age. She should be grateful that people fought and died so she has the freedom to express her stupid opinions. My mother is 92 and my father died at 94. He still had opinions on government and still voted. She should engage brain (if she has one) and think before she speaks. Sorry about rant but I’m so mad about this.

Chucky Fri 18-Jan-19 12:30:42

Ridiculous! I think that those with life experience are entitled to the vote far more than 16-18 year olds who have put nothing into this Country and still have so much to learn!

leeds22 Fri 18-Jan-19 12:23:56

Just let them try, I'll be chaining myself to the railings.

sarahellenwhitney Fri 18-Jan-19 12:23:01

Humpty Dumpty. Ever considered by the time a 75 year old has got to 75 they will have seen the error of their ways ?I would rather rely on the votes of those who have lived and learned than those ' yet to learn'.

Pippa22 Fri 18-Jan-19 12:22:58

No Cherrytree59 we wouldn’t have time to chain ourselves to railings. We are too busy working, looking after our parents and grandchildren and doing voluntary work. The country would come to a standstill if we were attached to railings or starving ourselves !!!

POGS Fri 18-Jan-19 12:19:10

It isn't the case that it is the thought of younger voters !

I mentioned previously on this thread we had a Gransnet thread about Jeremy Paxman and his ' Under 65 's should not vote too opinion.

If it is ' the principal ' some hold who think if you are over 65/75 whatever age should not have a democratic vote then apply it personally to yourself and don't vote in Referendums and General Elections. Simple.

Don't think the rest of us feel we have no life left if any value or opinion as to our futures or that of our families and country .

I take it Paxman will not cast a vote again and Jamelia will expect her family members over 75 not to vote .

Bijou Fri 18-Jan-19 12:03:34

We oldies have experience of the past mistakes of previous governments and know what it was like before we went into the EU. We do think of our grand children and great grandchildren.
I think It should be compulsory for everyone to vote. I beleave that only 17 million voted in the referendum. A few more votes would have swung the results .

Kim19 Fri 18-Jan-19 12:01:20

Was OK the minute I saw it was Jamelia who made this empty headed statement. This is a young lady I see from time to time on the opinion panel of a regular morning TV show. She is regularly controversial and runs against the stream. I have her in my mind as someone who tries hard to stay in the limelight and is trying for a future in politics. Don't know if her singing career still exists.

Milly Fri 18-Jan-19 11:43:01

I agree with you humptydumpty. Certainly over the Referendum, i nearly didn't vote as was 81 at the time but then remembered the Suffragette s and voted but won't if there is another referendum. Local elections are different.

mabon1 Fri 18-Jan-19 11:35:04

Women died and went to prison for me to vote and vote I will until I die. How dare that guy put us out to grass, who does he think he is? He might not live to see the outcomes either because " we don't know the minute or the hour"as it says in the bible.

Gaggi3 Fri 18-Jan-19 11:33:50

Quite a lot of people younger than 75 won't live to see the consequences of their voting preferences either. Accidents, illness, crime etc can all rob any one of us of life at any time.
I care very much about the kind of world my children and grandchildren will have and vote to try to ensure equality and compassion.
Depriving anyone of the vote who is legally entitled is undemocratic. Those who advocate this kind of thing should be very careful, the next thing might be intellectual competence.

SillyNanny321 Fri 18-Jan-19 11:29:29

When listening/reading discussions like this I often wonder if anyone remembers reading a book called Logans Run?
Then the age was 30! Be careful youngsters what you wish for as your peers may have found the book in their senile parents attic & decided it would be a good idea!

Hollydoilly10 Fri 18-Jan-19 11:28:33

That just proves my point that perhaps it is the young who need to be excluded if they are thinking that way.
It's the fashion to believe that pensioners are why they need to pay more tax , that we are taking all their money.
Its just ageist. I have heard so many times of older people (usually over 55) being told by the NHS that there is no budget for their treatment. It's deplorable.

Brigidsdaughter Fri 18-Jan-19 11:27:52

Oops ... meant 'older'

Brigidsdaughter Fri 18-Jan-19 11:27:25

Remember green forms from electoral services, through the door? I did that job for some years. The dear individual the less likely needing a follow up after red for not returned. So sad. Full of talk, less action with some younger people who have less experience of life gone by and importance of democracy

Brigidsdaughter Fri 18-Jan-19 11:24:18

www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2016/06/how-did-different-demographic-groups-vote-eu-referendum
Not sure if this will work, a screenshot below showing a bit - not perfect I know but general view

M0nica Fri 18-Jan-19 11:17:59

In which case the age for marrying should be raised.