Britain to lower voting age to 16 before next national election, government announces

I don't care really. Both parties are the same, spend to much money. I usually vote against incumbent unless in think they are doing a great job. My main concerns are local bonds etc. I always vote against even if I like them. Just trying to keep local taxes as low as possible.

 

I tend to be anti incumbent myself. Complacency and power are not a good mix. I’m all for reasonable taxes, just no silliness and drunken sailor ideological spending.

 

We know it would be “weaponized” because this country has a long history of voter disenfranchisement directed against minorities.

For ~100 years between reconstruction and civil rights movement, literacy tests and poll taxes were designed to exclude blacks, whereas white illiterates were “grandfathered” or exempted. This is why civil rights era brought about abolition of poll taxes (24th amendment) and the voting rights act.

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My point wasn’t so much that we actually should consider re-instituting such (constitutionally illegal) tests, just that you are overstating the concern with potentially letting 16-17 year olds vote. Young people just have very low voter participation, so even doing that hypothetical voting age expansion and 16-30 age group would still leave themselves vastly under-represented vs old farts. I’m not sure an engaged 17 year old should be assumed less knowledgable than an engaged 70 year old. Too many old folks are diminished capacity (and I’d actually argue huge swaths of them brain damaged by social media). Maybe that “social media damaged” is also true of younger generations, but the bottom line is their participation always comes out lower. It’s a moot point as lowering the age again would require a constitutional amendment which is highly unlikely.

 

Personally, I think if the law says you're old enough to work full time, participate fully in adult life, contribute tax to the coffers, you should be given a say.

I reject the view that 16 is too "inexperienced" to have a voice - voting is a right to express your voice, no more. It's not about "getting it right". I know plenty of utter morons of adult age who vote without even remotely being informed about political issues, so implying age is a limiting factor won't wash for me. Brexit was a prime example - people voted without making any effort to understand it's nuances. I don't care if you're 16 or 106 - you should make an effort to be informed. My eldest is 17, smart, a straight A* student in college and makes that effort to follow current affairs objectively. I'd challenge any of you to tell her she's not worthy of a vote in a debate.

Finally, before anyone launches into a left-right thing here, two really important points of note:

1) Labour is in DIRE trouble in the polls. The first year has been dismal, all soundbites, inaction, an unpopular PM, and they are not going to get re-elected when the time comes, regardless of giving them the vote. This was in their election manifesto over a year ago too, so it's not just a knee-jerk reaction. Keir Starmer has not gone far enough for a lot of those who voted for him and they are jumping ship. There's going to be a new left wing party, too, led by Jeremy Corbyn (former Labour leader) who will take votes away from them.

2) There was a news article the other day saying Reform - a new(ish) right wing party - is by far the most well followed and engaged with on social media like Tiktok over here. Let that sink in. They stand to gain a great deal by this with a young audience. Reform will also take a lot of votes from Labour at the next election.

Me? I've said it all along, I just want a competent Government. It doesn't seem like we have any adults, left, right, centre, wherever, capable of leading the country.

 

Seriously, bore off. I live in one of the most multicultural towns in the UK and we're tired of listening to your egregious, lazy racism.
Give me a neighbour who has different cultural, religious beliefs and different skin colour over someone who hates because of those factors EVERY day of the week.

 

You've clearly not met my kids...

 

Well my oldest two are 19 and 21..that is why I emphasized 16 or 17

 

I'll let you know!

 

Uhh, you spelled center wrong.

 

I heard that acne cream lobby is VERY powerful in the UK. They are probably behind it, as they say, follow the money.

 

Not sure if it makes them remain liberal or not, but if your voting interests and outlook is based on where you get your income from, it makes sense that most liberals are going to support where their money/ livelihood comes from. Gov't, university, research companies, etc. that don't generate money but get it from taxes, grants and donations.