16 year olds to be given the right to vote…….yes or no?

Grandma70s

Yes. They won’t know much, but then neither do most 18-year-olds, or for that matter the rest of the electorate.

A sneering comment aimed at whom specifically.

I watched a segment on the ITV evening news on this topic. They interviewed a group of birdwatchers who looked to be at least in their 70’s.

Three of them expressed their opinion that the right to vote should be withdrawn at age 80 as citizens age 80 upwards shouldn’t be having an influence on how the country will be run for those younger than them 😳

Well police got younger and younger, doctors are so young - they look about 12- my electricians and plumbers have retired.
It's time to realise the government is going to be peopled by much younger people who have the energy and cognitive powers to do an excellent job.

Bring it on!

Mollygo

It really saddens me to see what a low opinion some on this thread have of older people’s understanding and capabilities and
don’t hesitate to say so.

Out of the 16-17 year olds that I know, some still in school and some who are in other forms of training, there is a mixture of behaviour, understanding and capabilities. Probably an accurate reflection of what I would find in a larger selection.

This is a discussion Mollygo, you, and I, and everybody else can all give our opinions freely.

Your second point applies to people of all ages, doesn’t it?

GrannyGravy13

The only thing that would maybe persuade me that this could be a viable option is if U.K. schools taught all pupils how government works, from Parish Councils right the way up to The House of Lords.

Until then, it’s a no, no and another no.

That equally apply to 28, 38, 48, ... 98 year old. Have you seen the pre-election interviews?

If you think we need to educate 16 year olds, in order that they may vote then the same should happen to everyone else. This is where citizens juries could be useful.

^ This is a discussion Mollygo, you, and I, and everybody else can all give our opinions freely.^

Absolutely Casdon.

Why do you feel the need to point out?
Are you saying I shouldn’t have an opinion?

No, as if I would say that!

Sago

Very interesting responses, but definitely a NO from the majority.

We have a son and daughter who would have voted whatever their best friend/teacher/favourite celebrity would have endorsed and a son who would have researched the back side out of it and made an informed decision.

I think this will be a huge mistake.

A "no" then, from small number of a comparatively small forum taken from a small demographic. Why do you think that means anything at all?

Casdon

No, as if I would say that!

So why did you feel the need to point out that it’s a discussion?

Casdon

Mollygo

It really saddens me to see what a low opinion some on this thread have of older people’s understanding and capabilities and
don’t hesitate to say so.

Out of the 16-17 year olds that I know, some still in school and some who are in other forms of training, there is a mixture of behaviour, understanding and capabilities. Probably an accurate reflection of what I would find in a larger selection.

This is a discussion Mollygo, you, and I, and everybody else can all give our opinions freely.

Your second point applies to people of all ages, doesn’t it?

It really saddens me to see what a low opinion some on this thread have of older people’s understanding and capabilities and don’t hesitate to say so.

Yes, I sometimes wonder if I've wandered on to Mumsnet by mistake. It could happen, I suppose, I'm old enough to have done so without realising 🤔

My grandchildren s primary school recently had a very informative, age appropriate talk from a current MP. He mentioned their concerns and comments in parliament yesterday and named the children individually. My grandchild was beyond excited to tell me that their name would be in Hansard forever. I think we often underestimate young people, she is eleven.

Just as an aside, how do those who object to having the right to vote at sixteen feel about someone aged fifteen being able to vote for a Conservative leader? Do you share the same reservations?

Citizenship is part of the National Curriculum and taught at Key Stages 3 and 4.

Purpose of study

A high-quality citizenship education helps to provide pupils with knowledge, skills and understanding to prepare them to play a full and active part in society. In particular, citizenship education should foster pupils’ keen awareness and understanding of democracy, government and how laws are made and upheld. Teaching should equip pupils with the skills and knowledge to explore political and social issues critically, to weigh evidence, debate and make reasoned arguments. It should also prepare pupils to take their place in society as responsible citizens, manage their money well and make sound financial decisions.

Aims

The national curriculum for citizenship aims to ensure that all pupils:

acquire a sound knowledge and understanding of how the United Kingdom is governed, its political system and how citizens participate actively in its democratic systems of government
develop a sound knowledge and understanding of the role of law and the justice system in our society and how laws are shaped and enforced
develop an interest in, and commitment to, participation in volunteering as well as other forms of responsible activity, that they will take with them into adulthood
are equipped with the skills to think critically and debate political questions, to enable them to manage their money on a day-to-day basis, and plan for future financial needs.
From the UK Government National Curriculum.

No definitely not. No representation without paying taxes. These are children still at school, still maturing, still being brainwashed by the left wing of education. Labour saying they are following Wales, who are more concerned with providing Nigerian farmers with money to plant trees , than helping their own farmers, and Scotland, both Labour run, the reason being most baby idealist will vote for them. Another ponzi scheme by a ponzi Gov.

Most evidence suggests that 16-18 year olds will be as diverse as any other age group in their voting patterns. They may be more likely to vote Green or Reform than the LP.

Diffuser

My grandchildren s primary school recently had a very informative, age appropriate talk from a current MP. He mentioned their concerns and comments in parliament yesterday and named the children individually. My grandchild was beyond excited to tell me that their name would be in Hansard forever. I think we often underestimate young people, she is eleven.

Just as an aside, how do those who object to having the right to vote at sixteen feel about someone aged fifteen being able to vote for a Conservative leader? Do you share the same reservations?

Yes most definitely. No vote without being a taxpayer. I don't want my country being defined by babies.

‘Research from other countries and reviewed in a House of Commons library paper has shown lowering the voting age had no impact on election outcomes.
Anthony Wells, head of European political and social research at polling firm YouGov, said the likely impact was set to be extremely small, "for reasons of simple maths".

To tackle foreign interference, the government also plans to tighten rules on political donations, including checks on contributions over 500 pounds ($670) from unincorporated associations and closing loopholes used by shell companies.’

The second point has not been mentioned on this thread, but will have far more impact on our electoral system than allowing 16 and 17 year olds to vote.

As you are not deemed to be an adult until you are 18 in the UK how can the government deem you a adult as far as voting is concerned. I don't think I would have known enough about politics, etc at 16 to know who to vote for. There is more awareness because of the widespread news and the Internet but also more disinformation so can be hard for someone mature to sift through. I accept they are our future and decisions made by the government will probably affect them more in their lifeline but I still think it is too young.

Freya5 the Scottish Government is not Labour, it is SNP. Also, 16 year olds who exceed the income threshold are taxpayers?

PN
A "no" then, from small number of a comparatively small forum taken from a small demographic. Why do you think that means anything at all?
You’re quite right. It has no more importance than if everyone had said yes.

But as Casdon pointed out,
This is a discussion Mollygo, you, and I, and everybody else can all give our opinions freely.

Apologies, I omitted to say that the piece I quoted above is from Reuters, today.

There has to be a starting point to vote somewhere, both 16 and 18 could be considered arbitrary ages, formal education stopping for most at 18, but there's no guarantee time at school will develop critical thinking. So maybe that's incumbent on the individual to have the inclination, if they do, for that to evolve beyond school. My perception now from my school days was being told how to think. From a personal point of view casting my mind back to the quantum leap from school into the workforce via a firm of chartered accountants and then on to a life assurance company. In retrospect little by little working undoubtedly developed and matured me as to having more considered opinions on important issues particularly
on how business operated, their roles in shaping the country's economic growth, how taxes were collected and spent. I guess much of that shaped how I cast my vote, going back to my school years I personally was clueless. Although I'm sure there are those who may have an understanding of how they would vote and why at age 16, and those like I was at that age, no idea.

Mollygo

PN
A "no" then, from small number of a comparatively small forum taken from a small demographic. Why do you think that means anything at all?
You’re quite right. It has no more importance than if everyone had said yes.

But as Casdon pointed out,
^This is a discussion Mollygo, you, and I, and everybody else can all give our opinions freely.^

You’re quite right. It has no more importance than if everyone had said yes

No impact at all - unless there was a referendum, in which 16 and 17 year olds would not be able to vote.

LizzieDrip

Sadgrandma
Children are not allowed to leave education (6th form, college or apprenticeship) until they are 18 so how can they be deemed old enough to vote?
A 16 year can leave school and can work full time. If their earnings are above the tax threshold, they will pay tax like everyone else.

Yes they can leave school at 16 and work but they are still required to undertake some type of education or training as well until they are 18,

Allira

Pantglas2

The consensus on this forum on teenagers having the gumption to source their own part time work was that it was too much to expect from the delicate little flowers at their tender ages so mum and/or dad pulled strings…

I've read on here that their brains aren't fully developed until the age of 25 so perhaps the voting age should be increased not decreased?

In that case there would have to be an upper limit too as all people deteriorate with age.

Some of the answers leave me wondering if the posts come from people who don't have any relationship with young people. I've always found it the case that I learned first from my children, then my grandchildren and they, in turn learned from me. Thus has also been true of the other children and young people I have come into touch with. The disapproval of the young en mass, expressed by some, seems totally extreme and suggests some people have little contact with them.

Starmers unchallenged BS about 16 year olds paying income tax justifying this desperate move.

I hope some MP asks for HMRC to state how many 16 year olds actually pay income tax.

In reality I don't think it will make much difference except in very marginal seats