Should 16-17 year olds been able to vote in the EU referendum?

[Will.]

Discuss...

[Johnnyuk123]

No.

[Jack_]

Yes, and other than actually calling it in the first place (which should never have happened), David Cameron will rightly regret not granting them the vote.

[Drew.]

A lot of 16/17 year olds are intelligent enough and know more than a lot of older people who have voted, considering this vote is to do with our generations future then yes, they do deserve to vote

[Jordan.]

No

[Shaun]

Considering it'll affect them 50 years into the future, most certainly. Anyone who thinks all 16 year olds are stupid and uninformed need only look at the people who've just voted. If they can vote in Scottish elections they can vote in this.

[GiRTh]

A lot of 16/17 year olds are intelligent enough and know more than a lot of older people who have voted, considering this vote is to do with our generations future then yes, they do deserve to vote

Considering it'll affect them 50 years into the future, most certainly. Anyone who thinks all 16 year olds are stupid and uninformed need only look at the people who've just voted. If they can vote in Scottish elections they can vote in this.

x2

[Headie]

Yes, myself and many of my friends are all very annoyed that we weren't allowed to vote because we're 17 yet we still have to pay adult price for transport tickets, concerts etc. How can you say we are not mature enough to decide on a vote yet we are mature enough to drive, work etc.?

[Jordan.]

Yes, and other than actually calling it in the first place (which should never have happened), David Cameron will rightly regret not granting them the vote.

Doubt it would have had much affect. Didn't 18-24 have the lowest turnout?

[DemolitionRed]

Yes, myself and many of my friends are all very annoyed that we weren't allowed to vote because we're 17 yet we still have to pay adult price for transport tickets, concerts etc. How can you say we are not mature enough to decide on a vote yet we are mature enough to drive, work etc.?

Crazy isn't it? You can get married, have children but you can't vote :conf:

[Shaun]

Yeah it only had 36% turnout. So this would probably only chuck in about 200,000 more voters under such turnouts. For all of the haranguing of the "pension vote" there could be a lot more done to engage young people.

[Pete.]

The voting age should be lowered permenantly IMO

[bots]

No

[arista]

No

[Shaun]

Good to see all these reasons why for the no side.

[_Tom_]

No.

Yes, and other than actually calling it in the first place (which should never have happened), David Cameron will rightly regret not granting them the vote.

The whole "this referendum should never have happened" attitude is emblematic of the EU's approach to democracy.

[jennyjuniper]

No, not unless the voting age is 16/17.

[EspeonBB]

Considering you can get married and join the army at 16, you should be able to vote too

[Calderyon]

16-17 year olds can get married and join army in the UK?

That´s too young imo.

[ThriceShy]

Discuss...


Only 36% of 18-24 year olds voted.

They only have themselves to blame for all this.

[Johnnyuk123]

They are far too busy on facebook posting their selfies half naked on their beds to even consider getting out of their beds let alone going to vote.

[Johnnyuk123]

But if the politicians want to reach out to the youngsters then simply turn McDonalds into polling stations and offer them a free happy meal.

[Scarlett.]

Yes.

[zakman440]

Absolutely.

[T*]

YES.

[MB.]

They are far too busy on facebook posting their selfies half naked on their beds to even consider getting out of their beds let alone going to vote.

But if the politicians want to reach out to the youngsters then simply turn McDonalds into polling stations and offer them a free happy meal.

Good thing there aren't any 16 and 17 year olds on this forum for you to patronise further, Johnny

[T*]

They are far too busy on facebook posting their selfies half naked on their beds to even consider getting out of their beds let alone going to vote.

But if the politicians want to reach out to the youngsters then simply turn McDonalds into polling stations and offer them a free happy meal.

Thank you for tarring us with the same brush and potentially destroying our future :)

[T*]

2 years literally makes 0 difference

[Shaun]

Trust me Johnny there are plenty in their twenties and thirties doing that as well.

[T*]

Considering you can get married and join the army at 16, you should be able to vote too
:clap1:

[Liberty4eva]

Not sure. Whatever the cut-off age it is going to be arbitrary. There are some 16 year olds wiser and better fit to vote than some 30 or 40 year olds. :shrug:

[Johnnyuk123]

Not sure. Whatever the cut-off age it is going to be arbitrary. There are some 16 year olds wiser and better fit to vote than some 30 or 40 year olds. :shrug:

I agree there are some sensible teenagers. Tom for example. Great poster with great awareness of what is going on in the world. But having said that he is sadly outnumbered.

[joeysteele]

Absolutely yes and i said this right from the start.

They would have been able to vote in the general election in 2020 and for sure should have had the chance to have a say in their futures as to this referendum.

[Alf]

Some 16 year olds are still in High School, so what happens there?

Should we also send 16 year olds to an adult prison?

[Toy Soldier]

I agree there are some sensible teenagers. Tom for example. Great poster with great awareness of what is going on in the world. But having said that he is sadly outnumbered.

Honestly what bizarro-world is everyone else living in where they don't realise that these things apply to the majority of people of ALL AGES? Where are all of these intelligent, politically aware 40/50/60 year olds? Most of them are still pig ignorant, it has nothing to do with age.

[Scarlett.]

I agree there are some sensible over 40s. But having said that they are sadly outnumbered.

Fixed up your post

[Ninastar]

I personally don't think so. I think (most) 16 year olds are too easily pressured into just listening to what their friends are doing and I personally don't think (most) 16 year olds are mature enough to make a big decision like voting. I am a completely different person to what I was when I was 16, and I think that is pretty similar with most people.

[Toy Soldier]

Fixed up your post

There are some sensible humans. But having said that they are woefully outnumbered.

Fixed it more :hee:

[hijaxers]

Crazy isn't it? You can get married, have children but you can't vote :conf:

Yes but its been the same for all of us, it actually got reduced from 21 to 18 when i got my first vote and i have voted ever since, getting a vote is a privilege and we should all use it , not just when it suits us.

[Toy Soldier]

I personally don't think so. I think (most) 16 year olds are too easily pressured into just listening to what their friends are doing and I personally don't think (most) 16 year olds are mature enough to make a big decision like voting.

Again this applies to most people throughout their lives, not just teens.

I am a completely different person to what I was when I was 16, and I think that is pretty similar with most people.

And IMO this is largely meaningless; I was more or less the same person at 21 as I was at 16 and I had been able to vote for 3 years. I am a completely different person now to who I was at 21... and I would say that's true for most 30+ year olds? Does that mean the voting age should be raised to 21+?

[Scarlett.]

Fixed it more :hee:

Perfect! :thumbs:

[LukeB]

It's strange that 16/17 year olds have to pay adult prices, can learn to drive and can get a job etc and they can't vote. They should vote imo.

[Amy Jade]

I think they should have the option if they wanted - I'll hold my hands up and say I'm one of the 18-24 year olds who didn't bother but I have seen some pretty informed posts on twitter and Facebook by people a bit younger than me and they know their stuff so they should have been allowed their vote imho

[Cherie]

Some 16 year olds are still in High School, so what happens there?

Should we also send 16 year olds to an adult prison?

You can't leave education until you are 18 now Alf

[Cherie]

I think like the Scottish referendum where the precedent was set the same opportunity should have open to the rest of the UK

[James]

I've just checked the stats and there is not enough 16 and 17 year olds in the country to have changed the result (realistically), if it is any consolation to you.

[Mitchell]

Yes!

[Tom4784]

I'd say yes, wisdom doesn't come with age as evidenced by the last two major votes this country has had.

[Jamesy]

Yes, although this is something that should be addressed for all votes. I believe if someone is of age to get married, get a job, learn to drive etc, they should also have the right to vote. I've met some very intelligent and mature 16-17 year olds. Since voting is still a choice in the UK, it will continue to be like many votes where a certain percentage of people do not vote because they're not interested, not like it would automatically mean 16-17 year olds are forced to vote. It's a choice, just like the rest of us always have a choice to vote.

[Dollface]

no

[Toy Soldier]

Yes, although this is something that should be addressed for all votes. I believe if someone is of age to get married, get a job, learn to drive etc, they should also have the right to vote. I've met some very intelligent and mature 16-17 year olds. Since voting is still a choice in the UK, it will continue to be like many votes where a certain percentage of people do not vote because they're not interested, not like it would automatically mean 16-17 year olds are forced to vote. It's a choice, just like the rest of us always have a choice to vote.

I think that's the important point, really. Most realistic scenario on giving 16 year olds the vote is that the ones who are politically interested will turn up, and the ones who aren't will simply not bother, so it can only be a good thing.

I wish the adults who aren't really politically interested wouldn't show up to vote "because people fought for our votes so we should use them". Meh. Yes, but the responsibility there isn't just turning up on the day, its keeping politically informed in the first place. My wife had a friend texting her on Thirsday, stood outside the polling station, no idea what she was going to vote for, and asking about the implications. It's depressing.

[Jack_]

Doubt it would have had much affect. Didn't 18-24 have the lowest turnout?

In the Scottish independence referendum, 75% of 16 and 17 year olds voted, which was more than 20% higher than the 18-24 cohort.

Even if it hadn't changed the result (which would surely mean there'd be no problem granting them a vote?), as the saying goes there should be no taxation without representation. The Scots set a great precedent in engaging young people in politics and the rest of the UK should've followed their lead.

Granting 16 and 17 year olds the vote would be the first step in reducing political apathy among the young. There are literally no legitimate arguments against it.

The whole "this referendum should never have happened" attitude is emblematic of the EU's approach to democracy.

I've thought the referendum shouldn't happen for several years and if you searched hard enough I'm sure there's evidence of such on here of me saying so when holding one was being touted as a manifesto pledge for certain parties.

I've been against it from the start because I always knew the outcome of it would be dictated by a campaign of fear and misinformation propped up by the tabloid press, and I was right. In fact the reality was even worse than I could ever have envisaged since the remain campaign was just as awful and based on fear. No one spoke about the actual benefits of the EU, things that will matter to working people. It was trade, immigration and the economy on repeat for four months. And as a consequence we've ended up with the result I predicted way before the referendum legislation had passed through parliament.

An issue on this scale with the kind of press and politics we have today was never going to work, the electorate are just for the most part way too misinformed to be trusted with such a decision.

[Ross.]

Yes, they should.

Whether they would use it or not is irrelevant to this debate, it's about actually giving them the option too, the opportunity for their voice to be heard. I can't think of one proper reason why anyone would think it isn't a good idea.

[Denver]

Not at all i dont think they are mature enough to make the best decision

Also to thos saying you can get married at 16/17 is that not only with parents permission?

[Greg!]

Not at all i dont think they are mature enough to make the best decision

Also to thos saying you can get married at 16/17 is that not only with parents permission?

I'm 16 and I was "mature enough" as you put it to vote in the Scottish elections last month thanks very much

[Ninastar]

Again this applies to most people throughout their lives, not just teens.



And IMO this is largely meaningless; I was more or less the same person at 21 as I was at 16 and I had been able to vote for 3 years. I am a completely different person now to who I was at 21... and I would say that's true for most 30+ year olds? Does that mean the voting age should be raised to 21+?

I disagree. I believe teens are far more likely to just follow their peers.

As for the rest, I think your point is irrelevant. There's a big difference between 16 - 17 year olds in comparison with 21+ year olds. :shrug: Of course this is just my opinion and I don't expect you to agree with it.

[Denver]

I'm 16 and I was "mature enough" as You put it to vote in the Scottish elections last month thanks very much

are you mature enough to live alone? Support yourself? Pay bills? Not need help from your parents?

[Jack_]

Again, no taxation without representation is the only real argument you need here. The other issues are just sideshows (important nonetheless, but not as much).

If you agree with one without the other, well then...err...

[kirklancaster]

I personally don't think so. I think (most) 16 year olds are too easily pressured into just listening to what their friends are doing and I personally don't think (most) 16 year olds are mature enough to make a big decision like voting. I am a completely different person to what I was when I was 16, and I think that is pretty similar with most people.

:clap1::clap1::clap1: Truth, Common Sense, and Maturity - at last. Thank you.

[jaxie]

No I don't believe you have the maturity at 16 to make those kind of decisions.

[Mystic Mock]

Well considering 16 is when it's the consenting age when you can have sex then I think that they should be allowed to decide their future.

Some Leavers have even said on Social Media that they only voted to leave to get David Cameron out, I mean who the **** does that!? I don't think that 16-17 year olds would've used that as a reason:crazy:

[Mystic Mock]

No.



The whole "this referendum should never have happened" attitude is emblematic of the EU's approach to democracy.

Democracy should also mean that the Media is suppose to point out the pros and cons of both campaigns, not praise everything about Leave, and then point out all of the cons and even add false stuff on so that they could make the EU look bad.

I mean :facepalm: to the people that don't know that we vote in our own MEP's to represent us at the EU, that the EU somehow is responsible for the chaos at the NHS, and then call people like myself uninformed.

I'm no expert by any means, but at least I know the basics.

Also I don't see how it's patriotic to want to damage the country's Economy? You know only the most important thing to keep the country alive.

[Mystic Mock]

Good thing there aren't any 16 and 17 year olds on this forum for you to patronise further, Johnny

Some older generations hate young people.

Just look at what they did to the free Uni fees.:hehe:

[Tom4784]

Just like with Wisdom, age isn't a sign of maturity and Leave winning is only proof that adults can be lead as easily as teens.

There's no real reason to not lower the voting age to 16. At worst a bunch of 16 and 17 year olds wouldn't vote but the ones that would are probably more likely to take it seriously then most adults who take it for granted and only vote so they can post about it on Facebook.

[Ammi]

..I think yes, not because 16/17yr olds can do this and can do that at their age because that to me is never a reason..but because this was a decision that is going to greatly effect the future's of 16/17yr old...we recently devoted a week with our 6th years, so ages 10/11yrs olds to the EU Referendum and discussing and debating it and it was inspiring as to how much each child reasoned their views and how aware they were of political views...that's not even something that every eligible voter can do...16/17yr old should have been and should be eligible to vote because they should be educated to be eligible to vote..(in general..)..young people are more technology/IT aware because they're educated to be so...they know Math problems that I would find difficult because they are educated to be able to solve these Math problems...and the same with politics, they should be educated to vote and to reason their voting and then to put it into practise and observe the outcomes of their decisions...