SHOULD the voting age be lowered to 16 to give younger people the chance to have their say when elections come around? Youth editors Alison Moulds and Josh Tate share their thoughts.
Alison's views
Those in doubt that youths are keen to wield political power need only to peruse the pages of online social networking site Facebook, where hundreds of groups' are dedicated to real or ideal candidates for political positions.
Today's teen culture may seem to many far more apolitical than our predecessors but, from personal experience, widespread disdain for George Bush's globally influential policies has heightened teens' political awareness.
It seems this momentum has also restored interest in British politics, perhaps beginning with Tony Blair's resignation.
I even have a slightly surreal memory of discussing the implications of the Northern Rock crisis at a 1920s fancy dress party!
However this return to political interest has not necessarily revived enthusiasm for our political prospects.
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On May 1 first-time voters across the capital pledged allegiance to one of 10 mayoral candidates. With colourful personalities, allegations of sleaze and a race to the hotly-anticipated election results, the mayoral race initially appeared to have all the watercooler-discussion potential of Big Brother.
However, as with the majority of political struggles, the competition was ultimately between two contenders.
Many liberal minds ditched the minor players in a futile effort to retain former mayor Ken Livingstone for fear Boris Johnson would prove successful.
Regrettably, yet almost inevitably, the Liberal Democrats were sidelined as the competition was once again reduced to a fight between the Conservative and Labour contenders.
It is disappointing that initially eager youths with admirable ambitions for English politics are already disillusioned about their options for the future.
Although there are still those who idealistically brandish copies of Marx and posters of Che Guevara, most teens have resigned themselves to supporting the lesser of two evils' when it comes to political parties.
What Josh says
Recently there's been a lot of talk over this country and its voting age.
"Should it be lowered?" is the main question, and is closely followed by "What to?".
The main argument for it to be lowered to 16 is that at the age of 16, young people are judged responsible enough to get married, have sex, get a full-time job, leave school and move into a new home, so why not vote, as well?
I would say that it is a great leap from the choice of getting a job to having a role in the future of the country and its governments.
At 16, people are still young, no matter how mature they claim to be. Getting jobs, moving home, all of them are big decisions, but not so big as who runs the country and how they run it.
The 'rights' that young people get at 16 are not as big as those gained at 18.
When someone becomes 18, they can open an independent bank account, be called for jury service, bet and get their name changed as well as voting.
All of those decisions are much, much larger, because they affect more than a couple of people.
Getting a job affects an individual, moving home affects an individual or a tiny, tiny group, getting married is another small-scale thing.
On the other hand, jury service affects a lot of people, and voting affects the whole country.
It is important to ask yourself, those 'mature' 16-year-olds out there, would you make the right choice now?
Posted by: Mark, Dartford on 10:50am Thu 26 Jun 08
Sadly. most of the 16 year olds, haven't a clue about voting for a better world.
They are only interested in Big Brother and Pop Idol.
How to get famous without actually doing anything.
The world now , is much different to a couple of decades ago.
I would not want, someone that cannot even write a letter( as opposed to texting)
to be my future voice.
Sadly. most of the 16 year olds, haven't a clue about voting for a better world.
They are only interested in Big Brother and Pop Idol.
How to get famous without actually doing anything.
The world now , is much different to a couple of decades ago.
I would not want, someone that cannot even write a letter( as opposed to texting)
to be my future voice.
I don't think they should be allowed to vote. At the end of the day, isn't it this age group which are destroying our country with knives at the moment. They are clearly not mature enough
I don't think they should be allowed to vote. At the end of the day, isn't it this age group which are destroying our country with knives at the moment. They are clearly not mature enough
I am middle aged, when I was young my parents and their peers were always droning on about "it was better in my day", and their parents before them etc etc.
I say go back to the fifties when only toffs were allowed to vote as we can trust them to run the country. Since we have been allowed to vote things have gone reet downhill. Speaking of BB that Becka has a full set dunt shee
I am middle aged, when I was young my parents and their peers were always droning on about "it was better in my day", and their parents before them etc etc.
I say go back to the fifties when only toffs were allowed to vote as we can trust them to run the country. Since we have been allowed to vote things have gone reet downhill. Speaking of BB that Becka has a full set dunt shee
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