Keir Starmer keen to give 16 year olds VOTE if Labour win

How is voting at 16 working in Scotland?

I don’t read any horror stories, or uprising against it.

It led to increased engagement with politics which ha a long term effect. I'll see if I can get the link for the research

Ridiculous idea.

Rosie51

If 16 year olds are informed/old enough to influence the government of the country by being given the vote, then I assume they will also be granted all the other privileges/obligations afforded to adults? So no more "they're only kids" when it comes to judicial sentencing, obtaining a licence to drive a car, they'll be able to leave the education system at 16 with no obligation to be in an apprenticeship like scheme, sign legally binding contracts, marry without parental consent in England and Wales, buy cigarettes and alcohol, watch any content in films etc, ad infinitum. If not, why not? Either they're fully adult or they're not. Giving your vote to the party that will enact policy for all your fellow citizens is a huge responsibility. If you're equipped for that by virtue of being 16 then you're equipped for the rest.

I totally agree with you Rosie. For me, the age of majority would be better set at 18, but if the powers that be decide that 16 is a fully mature adult, then all that comes with being an adult must come with it.
I’m afraid it can’t be one way when it suits, but the other way when it doesn’t suit!

Do you really think giving children the vote is a good idea, we regard them as children until they are 18 when they are fully responsible. Thats the time to think about serious adult topics like politics.

No, I don’t Katie.

And I think Keir Starmer is being totally disingenuous when he says 16 year olds can serve in the military. They cannot go to the front line. They cannot fight. They need parental consent before they can join the military. They will do training and basic work as in any other job, but they cannot go to war. And Keir Starmer knows this.

Rosie51

If 16 year olds are informed/old enough to influence the government of the country by being given the vote, then I assume they will also be granted all the other privileges/obligations afforded to adults? So no more "they're only kids" when it comes to judicial sentencing, obtaining a licence to drive a car, they'll be able to leave the education system at 16 with no obligation to be in an apprenticeship like scheme, sign legally binding contracts, marry without parental consent in England and Wales, buy cigarettes and alcohol, watch any content in films etc, ad infinitum. If not, why not? Either they're fully adult or they're not. Giving your vote to the party that will enact policy for all your fellow citizens is a huge responsibility. If you're equipped for that by virtue of being 16 then you're equipped for the rest.

This 👍

I can't find anything that says this will be in the LP manifesto, or that it is intended to be a promise - just that KS has said that he would consider it. Can anyone link to something more substantial, please?

I wouldn’t be in favour - IMO 16 is too young and very likely gullible to extremists - but judging by the numbers of young people who couldn’t be bothered to register or bestir themselves to go to polling stations even for the Brexit vote, I don't imagine it’s going to matter much.

Plus they’ll have to make sure they’ve all got ID now - will they be bothered enough to do that?

Doodledog

I can't find anything that says this will be in the LP manifesto, or that it is intended to be a promise - just that KS has said that he would consider it. Can anyone link to something more substantial, please?

That is the current situation. Under review.

All the current newspaper reports are piggy backing on a "could" has been reported to say that" after KS answered a reporter's question.

As regards young people and voting one of the reasons Sunak may have chosen July 4 as a date is that it falls just at the end of the University year, when students are in transit between home and uni, possibly travelling. Neatly cuts out voting possibilities.

Wasn’t there once something called a national youth Parliament? Maybe still is. Giving something that a bit more scope and clout would be a good move.

Wyllow3

Doodledog

I can't find anything that says this will be in the LP manifesto, or that it is intended to be a promise - just that KS has said that he would consider it. Can anyone link to something more substantial, please?

That is the current situation. Under review.

All the current newspaper reports are piggy backing on a "could" has been reported to say that" after KS answered a reporter's question.

Thanks. It must be so wearing to have people sticking microphones under your nose and asking all sorts of questions. You can't say 'I haven't given that much thought', or 'Are you serious?' as that would be taken out of context, but when you try to shrug it off with 'I'll give it some thought' you are quoted as having said you have it in your plans.

Wyllow3

As regards young people and voting one of the reasons Sunak may have chosen July 4 as a date is that it falls just at the end of the University year, when students are in transit between home and uni, possibly travelling. Neatly cuts out voting possibilities.

And I thought I was cynical!

Doodledog

I can't find anything that says this will be in the LP manifesto, or that it is intended to be a promise - just that KS has said that he would consider it. Can anyone link to something more substantial, please?

www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/may/14/labour-considers-plans-to-let-eu-nationals-and-16-year-olds-vote

Yes, I want to see 16 and 17 year olds vote

Sky News, interviewing Keir Starmer, that is a direct quote from KS.
(I’m rubbish at links but it’s easy to find.)

They reported here on our news that the age was 18 not 16. Makes a difference. I still wouldn’t agree with it personally but at least an 18 year old is an adult.

I’m referring to national service above.

Freya5

Voting is a privilege, the right to do so should not be handed out like sweets to bribe gullible, easily led youngsters.

Why not? It is handed out like sweets to bribe gullible, easily led adults …
I am not in favour of a lot of the Scottish government’s policies but they do try to teach political awareness in secondary schools.

That said I am not in favour of giving 16 year olds the vote, but it wouldn’t stop me voting Labour, though at the moment I am undecided. I intend to read the manifestos and make up my mind.

Wyllow3

As regards young people and voting one of the reasons Sunak may have chosen July 4 as a date is that it falls just at the end of the University year, when students are in transit between home and uni, possibly travelling. Neatly cuts out voting possibilities.

Students can register at their home and term time address, they can also use postal voting or a proxy so l really don't see why they should have any problem voting.

I would imagine Scots and Welsh 16-18 year olds are wondering why they are disenfranchised in this national election. About time this was rectified and 16+ are able to vote in all elections. Voting is not a privilege it is a right and within a nation the right to vote should be consistent or it is duscrimitory.

Casdon

Doodledog

I can't find anything that says this will be in the LP manifesto, or that it is intended to be a promise - just that KS has said that he would consider it. Can anyone link to something more substantial, please?

www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/may/14/labour-considers-plans-to-let-eu-nationals-and-16-year-olds-vote

I read that first, but it doesn't say anything concrete. I moved the the Times, but their report is behind a paywall, and I can't see anything in the Telegraph.

Giving 16 and 17 year olds the vote in the devolved nations has not caused the sky to fall. Take that as a positive.

Doodledog

Casdon

Doodledog

I can't find anything that says this will be in the LP manifesto, or that it is intended to be a promise - just that KS has said that he would consider it. Can anyone link to something more substantial, please?

www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/may/14/labour-considers-plans-to-let-eu-nationals-and-16-year-olds-vote

I read that first, but it doesn't say anything concrete. I moved the the Times, but their report is behind a paywall, and I can't see anything in the Telegraph.

It’s been in the Labour Youth Manifesto since 2019. There have been updates since it was first produced, but the majority of the recommendations still stand, including the right to vote at 16.
labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/The-Future-is-Ours.pdf