It's somewhat bizarre that this is being announced when we're a week off from the online porn crackdown. You can vote in elections but can't look at tits.
The written statement by the minister states: "we will introduce a bill..." Bills are debated and voted on in Parliament.
There was a poll the other day based only on how 18-24-year-olds would vote in the next GE. About 60% of the respondents said Labour/Green. Was pretty much neck and neck. Then the Lib Dems. Barely any votes for Tories or Farage LTD. I think it’s a great idea, for the reasons already explained by others. It’s nice to see Starmer sticking to a pledge for once also.
I can't see, logically, why this should be a problem for people. 16-year olds are legally contributing to society in many ways so why not let them contribute further by voting? If a lot of them vote Labour, so be it. If a lot vote Reform, so be it. Etc etc.. Should have been done years ago. If Starmer wants to increase participation in the electoral system he should next outline proposals for some form of PR. That'll be a bridge too far though even though there are many in the Labour Party who want it
I have no issue with this at all. Teenagers are far more savvy these days, they are better educated and informed at that age than mine, or the older generations, due social media and 24 hour news etc, plus they are far more tolerant; perhaps that’s the issue for those against it
So I assume that those who commit crimes can now be named at 16 years of age. Presently it's 18 with exceptions.
Teenagers hardly do their homework never mind sit down and look at policies from politicians who are more than likely only going to lie anyway.
The main objection seems to be that under 18s are not grown up and sensible enough to have the vote. Grown up and sensible Britain voted for Brexit and Farage's lot in their droves, so I don't think grown up and sensible is a requirement to voting.
I'm always struck whenever journalists collar a member of the public for their opinion how depressingly stupid and incapable of critical thinking they are, and yet how certain they are in their ignorance on many subjects, both from the left and the right. There is no evidence a 16 year old would be any more dangerous voting then your average 40 year old. I would probably take it one step further personally and bring in an elected upper house consisting of people with some qualification standard and voted for by a sub-set only of people who can prove they're not stupid.
Citizenship - including civics - has been a part of the KS3 and KS4 national curriculum as a statuary subject since 2002. Those kids will have a lot more knowledge of what happens in an election and with Parliament than many of the adults who are out there calling for a general election at every announcement they don't like.
Not a clue and don’t care about any parties voters. Never voted, never will. Let 16 year olds vote, let 100 year olds vote, makes no difference to me. I’ll still work, pay my way and enjoy myself without the division that politics brings.
I don’t think any 16 & 17 year old’s will be interested in taking lectures about being mature enough to vote from people that voted for Farage & Boris
When I was 16 I was studying A-level politics and was interested in what was happening in the world. A lot of 16-17 year olds are quite switched on politically. I know lots of ‘adults’ who are not into politics and don’t have a clue what is happening apart from regurgitating what they have read on Facebook. There will be plenty of 16-17 year olds who won’t have a clue and lots of them won’t bother to vote - just like the rest of the electorate. Anything that encourages youngsters to take an interest is good for me.
Well you're against anyone over 60 being able to be President, PM and lord knows what else. Despite championing Jezza.