Bye Bye Boris!

[duncs500]

I just think the likes of paying taxes is an automatic process (more or less) on the basis that you're earning money. It doesn't require any knowledge, thought, experience or maturity as it will happen regardless. Voting allows you to have an input in the direction of the country and an effect on the lives of millions when possibly you don't have much of a grasp of the issues or enough experience to appreciate their consequences.

Of course there are exceptions, but I'd hazard that for every one mature well informed teenager there are ten that are neither, and probably more like: "(insert latest social media 'influencer') voted X, so that's what I'm going to do".

[ZedLeg]

My point was more that you're expected to contribute towards the country without having a say in how it's run.

The recent votes have also shown that there isn't an age limit on people voting for something just because someone on the telly told them it's a good idea.

There's mounting evidence that a lot of people who voted in the ref did so without considering the consequences.

[Jobbo]

Legally anyone under the age of 18 is a minor. Contracts entered into with them are not legally binding on them. They aren't allowed to stand as MPs. Why should they be allowed to vote?

[Broccers]

TBH when I was growing up I never had a job that wasn't cash in hand until I was 18.

Good point as now employers have to pay a pension and young scrotes a decent wage.

[ZedLeg]

Legally anyone under the age of 18 is a minor. Contracts entered into with them are not legally binding on them. They aren't allowed to stand as MPs. Why should they be allowed to vote?

All the reasons I previously listed Jobbo, do keep up.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Legally anyone under the age of 18 is a minor. Contracts entered into with them are not legally binding on them. They aren't allowed to stand as MPs. Why should they be allowed to vote?

Well said.

And any such notable change to our voting system shouldn't be rushed through as an amendment to something entirely different! Suspicions that the Deputy Speaker won't allow such amendments at present.

[ZedLeg]

TBH when I was growing up I never had a job that wasn't cash in hand until I was 18.

Good point as now employers have to pay a pension and young scrotes a decent wage.

Sad for the business owners not being allowed to pay slave wages anymore .

Saying that, I made more working cash in hand than I did when I started working legally. The work was much harder though and I appreciated working in a nice warm stockroom rather than up to my knees in frozen mud .

[Broccers]

TBH when I was growing up I never had a job that wasn't cash in hand until I was 18.

Good point as now employers have to pay a pension and young scrotes a decent wage.

Sad for the business owners not being allowed to pay slave wages anymore .

Saying that, I made more working cash in hand than I did when I started working legally. The work was much harder though and I appreciated working in a nice warm stockroom rather than up to my knees in frozen mud .

I didnt but then I got good jobs

[Jobbo]

Legally anyone under the age of 18 is a minor. Contracts entered into with them are not legally binding on them. They aren't allowed to stand as MPs. Why should they be allowed to vote?

All the reasons I previously listed Jobbo, do keep up.

My reasons take into account yours. Legally they are minors. I do not wish to be ruled by minors. If there is a debate to be had over whether 16 should be the age of majority, have that debate and make them adults from age 16, including the right to vote. But not in isolation, for one general election, without looking at the whole picture. You're as bad as Boris, wanting to rush legislation through

[Beany]

Legally anyone under the age of 18 is a minor. Contracts entered into with them are not legally binding on them. They aren't allowed to stand as MPs. Why should they be allowed to vote?

Well said.

And any such notable change to our voting system shouldn't be rushed through as an amendment to something entirely different! Suspicions that the Deputy Speaker won't allow such amendments at present.

Probably wise, as expanding the vote to under 18s needs serious, robust debate - not slapped on to something else while it's politically expedient to do so.

[ZedLeg]

I never said we should rush the legislation through. I was replying to Duncs, I didn't say it should happen right now .

[Jobbo]

Your point that they are citizens is irrelevant anyway; you're a citizen from birth. The distinction is whether you are legally an adult. Joining the armed forces at age 16 requires parental consent, as does marriage - because you don't have the absolute right to do those things until you're an adult.

[Simon]

Jobbo is down with the kids. I mean, 'Jobbo is correct'.

16 year olds do not understand the issues, nor have a decent stake in the outcome. 16 is too young. I'm starting to think that 18 is too young as well. Raise it to 21!

[NotoriousREV]

For me:

94% LD
91% SNP
91% LAB
89% Green
65% UKIP
60% CON
49% Libertarian

[ZedLeg]

16 year olds do not understand the issues, nor have a decent stake in the outcome. 16 is too young. I'm starting to think that 18 is too young as well. Raise it to 21!

As I said before, the recent results would suggest a lack of understanding isn't reserved for the young and with stuff like the brexit referendum I would argue that a 16 year old has a bigger stake than a 60 year old.

[NotoriousREV]

Jobbo is down with the kids. I mean, 'Jobbo is correct'.

16 year olds do not understand the issues, nor have a decent stake in the outcome. 16 is too young. I'm starting to think that 18 is too young as well. Raise it to 21!

I think we have plenty of evidence that many over the age of 18 don’t understand the issues.

[Broccers]

Wheres it end then hippy clappy folk? 15 14 13 12? I had little interest in politics when I was a child. I probs was happier too.

All about numbers and the pre 25s having no clue what their family did in wars.... this is all about the eu not anything else this time - you know, not like before in history so you can't predict a thing.

[Jobbo]

16 year olds do not understand the issues, nor have a decent stake in the outcome. 16 is too young. I'm starting to think that 18 is too young as well. Raise it to 21!

As I said before, the recent results would suggest a lack of understanding isn't reserved for the young and with stuff like the brexit referendum I would argue that a 16 year old has a bigger stake than a 60 year old.

And a 5yr old has a bigger stake than a 16yr old - that doesn't mean they should have the vote.

[Gavin]

Wheres it end then hippy clappy folk? 15 14 13 12? I had little interest in politics when I was a child. I probs was happier too.

All about numbers and the pre 25s having no clue what their family did in wars.... this is all about the eu not anything else this time - you know, not like before in history so you can't predict a thing.

It would appear a number of baby boomers actually fought in the war from some of the ridiculous posts I have seen.

As others have said, the age of majority is a debate for a different time but I love the fact you disseminated even that!

[NotoriousREV]

No taxation without representation. I believe there was a whole thing about that a few years back. We ended up losing a colony and some tea over it, as I recall.