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Younger people’s views beyond March 2019.

(181 Posts)
MarthaBeck Fri 15-Feb-19 13:16:08

I have read a great deal in these columns about Brexit and strong differing views on having a People’s Vote based on views in 2019, including those of young people. We had a
‪deep discussion on Brexit over a cuppa at our older people’s club this morning. Though Mrs May nor @jeremycorbyn would have been very happy about the views expressed.‬ There was strong support for a @peoplesvote_uk that would give young people the opportunity to have their say.‬

Yet, I have not heard such strong views expressed in these columns, even though Brexit is more about the future of the UK in many decades to come. Ironically, in the years when most reading these columns will no longer be affected. How many of you expect to be around in 30 to 40 years, so why do we still try to deny our teenage 16 + grand children their views, three of my 16+ Grandchildren are preparing to plan their University course and future jobs? Why should I deny them the right to define the UK future .

Are we so prejudiced that we continue to oppose allowing the Electorate including 16+ to have a view in 2019 on the future of the UK ?

4allweknow Sun 17-Feb-19 13:23:15

Wonder why you have to 18 or over to legally be an adult? Even after that until I think early 20s the Courts still give protection from not being identified due to age. If 16 year olds want to vote, remember still classed as a child, then they should also be prepared to face up to any wrong doing they are involved in. Can't be a responsible, analytical voting adult and a child at the same time in my reckoning. Scotland does allow 16 year olds to vote in all but general elections. That is once they have it all explained to them in school, so much for independent thinking!. This was seen as a political move by the SNP more than anything else to get the 16-18 year olds to vote for the party. Not that that age group is easy to influence! As for Brexit, 16 year old to vote, NO from me. They haven't had much experience of life other than what they know so how can they judge what is good or bad for a whole country. As for making plans for Uni, how many if them change courses, don't use their degree for anything relative to their studies or even finish the course.

Johno Sun 17-Feb-19 13:05:18

There is a general consensus of young people who do not like the EU and are very happy with the referendum result. It is absolutely ridiculous to adjust a system of democracy as a form of catch-up. The referendum has taken place and the decision was to EXIT the EU. Lets get on with it and stop all this contempt for democracy.

1Jodie Sun 17-Feb-19 13:03:55

Neither would I.

Tillybelle Sun 17-Feb-19 12:16:26

I care very deeply about the future for grandchildren.
Thinking of the future for generations to come has influenced my vote since I left University and started teaching.
How many of you have opposed the Nuclear Power Station at Hinckley Point C, for example?
At 16 most children do not have a deep enough knowledge of politics and current events to be able to make a decision that is free from influence of personalities and clever talk from Politicians. Neither do most adults.
Take your pick. Let the children of 16 who care have their vote.

Ramblingrose22 Sun 17-Feb-19 11:44:38

MaisieD - this is why I worry about another Referendum. The lies will be worse and there'll be more of them. Leavers seem to think Project Fear masquerading as the truth is OK for them but not for the Remain side! Such hypocrisy!
It's pointless for Theresa May to beg all her MPs to put their personal preferences aside and compromise- the ERG types are never going to do that so why should anyone else?

Jalima1108 Sun 17-Feb-19 11:18:57

I would willing give up my vote as an over 70 in a 2nd referendum if 16 and 17 year olds could vote for what is their future.

Well, I wouldn't!!

Brigidsdaughter Sun 17-Feb-19 10:56:02

The young had their chance. Yes, many are well informed and concerned- the ones we hear from. Sadly, many couldn't be bothered registering to vote. So, no, they don't deserve special privileges.
I believe in a 2nd referendum as now we all know more.

MaizieD Sun 17-Feb-19 10:39:15

What is worrying, Ramblingrose is that this nonsense is being passed on widely through social media and forums and is believed . I googled the first few lines and found it all over the place. But if one reads the actual Lisbon Treaty it doesn't corroborate any of it.

Ramblingrose22 Sun 17-Feb-19 10:01:36

Retired65 - was this your evidence -

page 12 The Union shall establish an economic and monetary union whose currency is the euro.

page 62 The Council, on a proposal from the Commission, shall adopt measures on fixing prices, levies, aid and quantitative limitations and on the fixing and allocation of fishing opportunities.";

None of this refers to the UK or Schengen specifically or even refers to the year 2022.

Your idea of "evidence" is very strange. I see that it also included a link to the Daily Telegraph article which is just an opinion piece. And as for posts on Facebook being evidence......you'll have to do a lot better

maddyone Sun 17-Feb-19 09:42:38

GabriellaG, thank you for taking the time to do that little bit of research. It very nicely sums up why sixteen year olds should not be given the vote. It also shows up why many eighteen year plus olds couldn’t be bothered to vote in the referendum.

annep1 Sun 17-Feb-19 06:13:26

GabriellaG I know you're not out to impress, nevertheless.....
I've missed the reference to publishing. I don't agree with her at all but I still think it's wrong to comment on grammar.

Hollycat Sat 16-Feb-19 23:32:56

Young people (18 year olds) HAD their say in 2016. The people who were 18 the day, the week, the month, the years afterwards did not. That’s a shame, that’s life. So we have ANOTHER vote, great, what about the people who do not get their vote the day afterwards? Shall we have a people’s vote every week for ever until they are all catered for? Oh wait, they can never be catered for can they?

GabriellaG54 Sat 16-Feb-19 23:25:05

annep1
Oh dear!
I'm not out to impress but, as MB had eulogised about her GD's oral prowess, I decided to point out that hers could do with a bit of attention given that she mentioned having been in publishing.

annep1 Sat 16-Feb-19 22:44:41

I'm very impressed by your survey GabriellaG but not by your criticism of MarthaBeck.

MaizieD Sat 16-Feb-19 22:34:07

I very rarely, if ever, post links to bloggers, POGS for just the very reasons you dislike. I have linked to twitter threads but only if the statements made on them are backed up with evidence from original documents.

Now, are you going to look at the Lisbon treaty and make up your own mind as to the truth of the facebook post or are you just going to continue sniping?

POGS Sat 16-Feb-19 21:51:25

Maizie d

' Meaning, POGS, that Lilco was a Eurosceptic putting his own spin on what he thought might happen.'
----
As opposed to the links you continually post to Pro European/ Pro Remain sites and bloggers who put ' their own spin ' on what they think might happen.

Bias is Bias!

POGS Sat 16-Feb-19 21:45:46

Not in a million years would I have considered my father and mother , indeed nor myself, on reaching the age of 70 or whatever should roll over and believe they/ I have no say in the future of our country.

Did some of you feel your parents were so bloody useless and because they had grown older they should somehow become less of a citizen and should have lost their right to a democratic vote entitlement?

Why is the Referendum being used to make a faux argument. They are either intelligent enough to make decisions or not but just spouting it is ' their ' future on just one topic, the EU , is ridiculous.

It is either thought at 16 children are so wise they understand what they are voting for whether it be, Leave/Remain in the EU, understand the Political Nuance of the different parties and where they stand on subjects such as Euthanasia, Taxation, Employment, Defence, Pensions all the subjects we as voters reflect on to decide which Political Party we as individuals feel are closer to our thoughts because we too also have to make decisions as to ' Our ' futures.

I detest the way Referendums are used as a political weapon to cause division between age groups.

Children , parents, grandparents should not be pitted against one another. Where is the moral compass in telling, brain washing our grandchildren they have more rights than their grandparents just because they have lived longer and will die before them.

Marieeliz Sat 16-Feb-19 21:33:49

Well said Cakebaker. Bet all those kids on strike drink and chuck away their plastic bottles throw away crisp packets. Probably Mummy or Daddy drive them to school. No one asked them that. Most of them seemed to be quite "posh" kids.

MaizieD Sat 16-Feb-19 21:29:49

Meaning, POGS, that Lilco was a Eurosceptic putting his own spin on what he thought might happen.

Tom Pride has found that the 'Lisbon' facebook post was not written by the person it was attributed to and that the content of it it was not true.

We've come to a pretty pass if 'truth' is just a matter of whose eyes you're seeing things through.

I have even linked to the Lisbon Treaty and an explanation of the Lisbon Treaty which do not back up the statements made in the Facebook post. Would you like to check them out yourself?

GabriellaG54 Sat 16-Feb-19 21:26:18

maryhoffman37

You don't matter?
Do you plan on living for the next 15-20 years?

GabriellaG54 Sat 16-Feb-19 21:23:42

MarthaBeck
I take it that she has a better command of English grammar than you do.

maryhoffman37 Sat 16-Feb-19 21:22:35

I would willing give up my vote as an over 70 in a 2nd referendum if 16 and 17 year olds could vote for what is their future.

GabriellaG54 Sat 16-Feb-19 21:20:22

I was in Guildford this afternoon. Many teens and early 20s around so, after finishing my shopping in M&S I decided to ask several groups, on the High Street, in the Friary (shopping mall) and down Friary Street and North Street, their views on remaining in the EU or leaving with or without a deal.
Altogether I put the question to 56 young people, both male and female, between the ages of 13 and 22 with one 26 yr old wanting his say too (not that it amounted to much) hmm
After collating the answers at home, it became clear that the majority across all groups weren't that interested as to whether we were in or out. There were some remarks that their parents would still be buying their food and "dealing with shortages" so they had "nothing to worry about".
Most of them thought it was a lark and nothing much would change. Those who thought there may be changes, either staying in or leaving, were of the opinion that it wouldn't affect them as their parents would "make sure I am ok".
In brief, 11 wanted to remain, 23 didn't know/had no opinion and 22 hoped for a leave result.
There were:
6 × 15 yr olds (at school)
12 × 17 yr olds (school/college of whom 5 worked holidays in Pizza Express and 2 in a garden centre. They spent earnings on games, clothes and going out)
2 × 13 yr olds (at school)
1 × 14 yr old ditto
6× 18 yr olds (2 leaving school this summer, 3 at college, 1 at Uni)
14 × 16 yr olds (school, 9 have holiday jobs, spend on clothes, make-up and going out)
9 × 19 yr olds (of whom 6 at uni, 3 college. 7 work during holidays, 4 for their parents businesses)
2 × 20 yr olds (both at uni, neither working during hols)
1 × 21 yr old (working f/t living at home, no contribution)
2× 22 yr old (2nd year uni drop out has worked but currently unemployed and looking, other is landscape gardener)
1 × 26 yr old (working p/t to fund backpacking holiday for several months)

Bear in mind that Guildford and surrounds is an area where the majority of people are wealthy or at least, comfortably off and many many children are privately educated.
On the whole, the consensus was, 'we have little to worry about as our parents deal with 'all that'.
Bar one, (a 19 yr old) every one of them had very new iPhones bought and contracts paid for by parents and 18 of them were iphone 9s which set you back about £800.

POGS Sat 16-Feb-19 21:17:34

MaizieD Sat 16-Feb-19 20:30:11

'The Telegraph writer, BTW, was Andrew Lilco. A leading Brexiter'
---
Meaning?

If ' bias ' in reporting / quoting from / posting links to others is your point and you feel it is therefore not worth mentioning/taken notice of , then why should posters take anything from the totally ' biased ' links to the likes of Tom Pride you posted a link to?

Do as I say not do as I do.

MarthaBeck Sat 16-Feb-19 20:42:23

Young people are far more knowledgeable and articulate than the majority of us were at their age. From some of comments I have read in these columns they don’t carry the same levels of prejudices and bigotry as many of us oldies.
My youngest granddaughter who will be 16 in March, took part in an open all age debate in Bristol last August. I was amazed how articulate she was and spoke like an expert on climate change. I was so proud of her, I doubt that many on these pages could have held a candle up to her. As for 21 instead of 18, as age for voting, presumably that goes for joining the military and getting married. Get real folks this is 2019 .