[Politics] Votes for 16 year olds

[The Clamp]

My main concern would be allowing the likes of a young Boris Johnson, Mogg, or Gove a vote.

Posho Eton boys who spend their time burning money in front of homeless people and sticking their wiltons in dead pig’s mouths would not be my ideal choice of voter.

 

[jcdenton08]

My kids had more rounded views at 16 than a lot of their relatives. I see it as the first smart step to the re-enter vote

Would you define more well-rounded?

Most people shit on the elderly for their views, forgetting many have lived through all sorts of governments.

I suspect by “well-rounded” you mean in-line with your views.

 

[wellquickwoody]

You can join the Army at 16, why shouldn't you be able to vote at 16?

17 with parental consent?

I stand corrected, join at 16, fighting till 18.

 

[jcdenton08]

My main concern would be allowing the likes of a young Boris Johnson, Mogg, or Gove a vote.

Posho Eton boys who spend their time burning money in front of homeless people and sticking their wiltons in dead pig’s mouths would not be my ideal choice of voter.

I’m no defender of the elite; but the pig thing was absolute bollocks. They live an extremely privileged life and behave like monsters according to hundreds of sources. There is literally one source for the pig thing, even detractors have said it’s bollocks. Sure sticks in people’s minds though!

These posh schoolboys would tear up bars, smash up hotel rooms and hire hookers. There is zero evidence of sticking their John Thomas’s in dead pig’s mouths

 

[GrizzlingGammon]

I personally think it's ridiculous. Remembering back to being 16 I wouldn't have had a clue. I was more interested in football, girls and trying to get served in wine rack! Having fun as a 16 year old.
As a parent of 2 children now beyond 16, I wouldn't have seen them being ready to vote.
While there are no doubt children of 16 who get it, I'm confident many won't give a care to politics and don't have the life experience to make an informed choice. I was probably still politically niave into my early 20s.
Absolutely ridiculous policy, I see being in service being mentioned as an argument for dropping voting age, they can't be deployed until they are an adult at 18 years old.

So you're suggesting only the politically astute should vote? Should everyone need to pass a test to prove they are politically savvy enough to vote. What makes you think are still not politically naive now?

 

[rigton70]

No less fit to vote for the future than 85+.

Those 85+ could have 3/4 governments in their life but not allowed to vote?

 

[Doonhamer7]

Would you define more well-rounded?

Most people shit on the elderly for their views, forgetting many have lived through all sorts of governments.

I suspect by “well-rounded” you mean in-line with your views.

They definitely don’t have my views! They are bright, well read and understand many issues

 

[The Clamp]

I’m no defender of the elite; but the pig thing was absolute bollocks. They live an extremely privileged life and behave like monsters according to hundreds of sources. There is literally one source for the pig thing, even detractors have said it’s bollocks. Sure sticks in people’s minds though!

These posh schoolboys would tear up bars, smash up hotel rooms and hire hookers. There is zero evidence of sticking their John Thomas’s in dead pig’s mouths

I think you get the general intention of my post.

 

[Krafty]

“No taxation without representation” used to be a thing

16 year olds can work full time and pay income tax / NI as a result. Therefore they should get a say in how it’s spent.

Exactly this

 

[jcdenton08]

I think you get the general intention of my post.

I do, but I am politically pretty close to you - maybe not as hyperbolic - and I was raised to always call out bullshit even from friends.

These people have enough to criticise without perpetuating lies.

 

[The Clamp]

I do, but I am politically pretty close to you - maybe not as hyperbolic - and I was raised to always call out bullshit even from friends.

These people have enough to criticise without perpetuating lies.

Fair play. Strike “penis in pigs mouth” from the record.

 

[brighton_dave]

So because you personally at 16 wouldn't have had a clue, 16 year olds today shouldn't be able to vote?

Makes sense.

Pathetic and childish comment.
I studied business with other 16 years olds back then, neither of whom I'd say would have been ready to vote. As a parent I know other children of that age group too, I'm not basing it on me alone. Picking on a small point, grow up.

 

[Iggle Piggle]

If 16 year olds are going to be doing National service in 2 years time if the Tories get in, they should be able to vote to give their opinion on what a totally shit idea it is.

 

[BrightonCottager]

Another policy stolen from the Green Party. They'll be proposing to bring water companies back into public ownership and introducing a wealth tax next.

 

[brighton_dave]

Sounds like you still don't have a clue tbh

Oh do grow up.
I don't have a clue because you don't agree with my opinion.
I'd articulate it much better if I had time, but that would be wasted on you.
For reference, and to keep it simple for you; articulate means to explain.

 

[wellquickwoody]

Have we not made 16 year olds less responsible over the years? Is it not true that they cannot leave school unless they can prove they have a job to go too? In reality most want to stay on into sixth form as that is now the norm. Even then our society has conditioned young people into thinking that they must go to Uni or will end up with a crap job, the reality being that there is a limited number of ‘good’ jobs anyway. Added to this, can’t drink, can’t smoke, can’t marry, can’t drive, can’t get insurance, can’t get credit, bank account?, buy a knife, and plenty more I could find.

 

[brighton_dave]

So you're suggesting only the politically astute should vote? Should everyone need to pass a test to prove they are politically savvy enough to vote. What makes you think are still not politically naive now?

Good to see genuine questions rather than one line childish digs.

With age comes experience. I don't debate everyone 18 and beyond being politically astute, and there will be a few 16 year olds more on it than me. That extra 2 years can be massive in terms of additional life experience. In general you are more ready to vote at 18 than you are at 16, and as the years go by you generally get wiser. Shall we drop it to 14 next, another 2 years doesn't matter right?
I'm not saying I know everything, what I'm saying is as I've got older I've become more interested, and look into the detail further. In my eyes, I realise I've voted poorly in the past due to not picking through the details, not appreciating impact of policies to those more disadvantaged than me. Age has given me more life experience, that will never change.
Those that I socialise with are of exactly the same mindset.
It's not about a test, that would never work, this is about asking children to vote. Why the need to drop the age down.
At 16 you are too young, I stand by my personal opinion.
End of comments from me.

 

[drew]

You can't fight till your 18 though.

Why do people always throw that one back. The fact is you can join the services at 16. You might not be on the frontline but you are certainly part of the machinery of war.

 

[Farehamseagull]

I’d rather 16 year olds had the vote than over 70’s.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

It's also not fair that a bunch 80 year olds with one foot in the grave get to vote over future generations.

How many 80+ people do you know? Those who aren’t capable are in homes, and unable to vote, but think of the lady on Breakfast tv yesterday morning, 101 years old, a code breaker. Are you saying she’s not fit to vote?
Not all old people are gaga, in the same way, not all youngsters are fools.