Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly, has called on the UK Government to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in elections.
Speaking in a debate on the subject in Parliament, Mr David paid tribute to the work of organisations like the Caerphilly Youth Forum in representing the views of young people.
He also pointed out that in many areas of their lives 16 and 17-year-olds are already treated as adults.
Among other things, they can leave school and begin work in a full-time job, pay income tax, become a company director or even change their name by deed poll.
Giving them the ability to cast their vote, Mr David argued, would be an extension of their responsibilities.
Members of Parliament last year voted overwhelmingly in favour of lowering the voting age to include 16 and 17-year-olds. However, because it was a non-binding vote and the Conservative Party is opposed to extending the franchise, David Cameron has opted to ignore the clear view of Parliament.
The Welsh Assembly has also voted in favour of the voting age being reduced to include 16 and 17-year-olds, although Assembly Members do not have the power to extend the voting age.
Speaking after the debate Wayne David said: “When I visit schools and colleges throughout my constituency I am always impressed by the level of interest that the students have in politics and the issues that impact on their communities.
“I am disappointed that David Cameron has chosen to ignore last year’s vote in Parliament, where MPs clearly stated that the voting age should be lowered. If we want young people to engage in society, we must ensure they feel like their voice will be listened to. That is why I believe the time has come for votes for 16 and 17-year-olds.”
Politicians have observed there may be a few new voters with this scheme which, in some areas, would benefit themselves.. It was labour who considered they should remain in school until they’re 18 but suddenly they consider them adults at 16. They contribute nothing to the British economy at that age so why should they vote? I’d much prefer legislation which ensures that people vote, even if they spoil their vote, it would enable a more balanced election. 16/17 yr olds is not the answer.
I can see no real argument against giving the vote to sixteen year olds, they are allowed to marry and join the armed forces afterall. I certainly wanted to vote at that age and was working and paying taxes.
I agree with the comment that low voter turnout amongst those entitled to vote is a more pressing concern, however. We have a European election this month. If memory serves the turnout was 30% last time, down from about 41% in the previous election.
I wish Wayne had used this opportunity to highlight the issue of low voter participation. I believe that this needs to be rectified before we extend the franchise to sixteen year olds.
I do often wonder whether the comments from Realist UK are just made to provoke a reaction. When he says 16 and 17 year olds contribute nothing to the economy so why should they be able to vote. Well, firstly he’s just plain wrong. Cllr Richard Williams draws on his own experiences of the working world when he was of that age and there are many thousands of young people aged between 16 – 18 who work and contribute to the economy.
For those 16 to 18 year olds who aren’t currently in employment, the vast majority will be in education or training learning in preparation for employment when they will be financially contributing to the economy. Whether or not somebody is financially contributing the economy as Realist UK puts it, it doesn’t follow that somebody should be denied the vote because he or she is out of work. Everybody should be entitled to vote but we have a big problem with voter turnout and this needs to be addressed.
I don’t agree that legislation should be put on the table ensuring all people vote. This would be an infringment on people’s personal liberty. It would also let politicians of all sides off the hook. It’s up to all politicians to encourage people to vote. There used to be 80% turnouts in general elections 50 or 60 years ago. People need to be reinvigorated to vote and I wholeheardtedly support extending the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds so that the many tens of thousands of young people can take part in the democratic process.
Would you support enfranchising anyone of any age. After all, the arguments proposing enfranchising 16 year olds are weak. Comparing it to other age restrictions is insane and invalid (Obvious why? It opens up a new debate about current age restrictions)
That point of debate aside, there is no logical or rational reason to not enfranchise 8 year olds.
i think that there must be little or no evidence for giving the vote to sixteen year olds. This age group are wrapped up in their own world and not much else is of interest, certainly not politics. Unless there is a close family connection living in the same house ‘ politics’ is a foreign country to be avoided at all costs. Of course, they’ll change but not at sixteen. At sixteen, teenagers should be at school and hopefully doing well. If a teenager is not in school, I suggest that the outlook of that young person is rather bleak to say the least. The economy of this country these days is not encouraging for the young worker and it can be compared in no way with the conditions I found myself in at that age. I had four years Grammar school education and then a two-year apprenticeship with the Post Office Engineering Department which made me an un-established civil servant. That, however, does not happen in these days of Zero Hours Contracts. This proposal might have more going for it in healthier economic climes. Probably best left till then.
Dean, I agree with you that many 16 year olds are alarmingly ignorant of politics and current events in general but this is not a compelling argument against allowing them to vote. Many people my age are equally lacking knowledge to enable them to cast their votes in a rational manner.
George Bernard Shaw wrote something like “Democracy is selection by the incompetent many instead of appointment by the corrupt few.” Despite their ‘incompetence’ I would sooner the ‘many’ have a say rather than the few.
Sixteen year olds should have a say but it is more important that politicians encourage voting by all ages.
As an aside, you seem to be confusing maturity and understanding as attributes only shared by those who cast their votes the same way as you do. This is patently not the case and there is nothing wrong in voting for Labour, or Tory for that matter, as long as the voter understands the possible outcome of that vote. It is this this level of thinking that I wish to see in every voter. I know we have a long way to go and the objective may not be met – but as a civilised society we should at least try.
You have made my point for me: “many people my age are equally lacking knowledge…” – this is true and allowing 16 year olds to vote would magnify this problem. Let’s educate the older people to understand and analyse before allowing younger people to vote.
I think you missed my point. Of course there is nothing wrong in voting for any party. However, it’s no coincidence that as Labour take a 29% poll lead in 16-24 year olds, a Labour MP campaigns to allow more in that category to vote. It would be beneficial to one party in particular. That is Wayne David’s real reason for supporting a change in age. The “let’s encourage young people” is a front.
Dean, I have no idea whether or not Wayne David sees a reduction in voting age as beneficial to the Labour party or just a matter of natural justice. I think the former is less likely than the latter as he has a huge majority, I think he polled around 45% of those who could be bothered to vote in the last Westminster election.
I think that we do agree that greater understanding of what each party actually stands for among the voting public is badly needed. I believe that an improvement in political knowledge will lead, naturally, to a greater interest in voting at elections. I am dismayed by low voter turnout and see this as the pressing need.
Despite viewing votes for 16 year olds as a lower priority I do have fellow feeling with 16 year olds who wish to vote. I left school and was working full time, paying income tax and national insurance, less than a month after my sixteenth birthday. I can still remember seething that I was considered by the establishment as too callow to be allowed a vote. I was particularly annoyed not to be able to vote in 1979 as I was about three weeks too young.
It makes me laugh when people like Cllr James Pritchard perceives differing opinions to his own liberal left views as provocative. I can’t even count on one fingerless hand any 16yr olds who have any interest whatsoever in politics, the economy, world events. Most at that age are more interested in facebook, snapchat & their student grant. To suggest giving the vote to this age group is another liberal thinktank idea that only appeases their ideology.
Wayne David is correct of course.
There is no logical reason why 16 year olds should be allowed to vote if they want to.
I see Councillor Jamie Pritchard has gained another string to his increasingly personal influential bow, He has Actually made Realist laugh!!!!
And:
Dean says “Wayne David only wants lower voting ages as it will give Labour extra
votes. Young people are more Labour than any other party, Maybe it
has something to do I with the demonisation of the Tories in schools
and lefty teachers”. `Here `here I say and plenty more of it, if Dean is correct that is…
Except the arguments for giving 16 year olds the vote are weak. You could say there is no logical reason to not give 14 year olds the vote or 12 years olds. Comparing voting to other age restricted things doesn’t hold water as the counter point is to increase current age restrictions. If that’s done, there’s no good argument apart from bettering some parties.
Of course left and right don’t actually exists but it’s good to have a balance of perceived left and right.
As the Caerphilly Youth Forum has been metioned, As the Youth Champion
re-elected for Caerphilly last month for the 6th year and over 3500 voted from the schools and youth clubs around Caerphilly shows that there are Young People who are interested in Politics especially local issues that effects them,
I can inform this bebate we have bedated this issue at our Borough Wide Meetings all most every year where around 80-100 young peolpe attend every 8 weeks in the Council Chamber,
As the vote in Scotland is on the agenda which we will be holding a Yes and No Vote workshops then a Q/A and bedate I am sure that it will again be put on the agenda as soon as we can fit it in and thats where I invite all who are interested in what the young people have to say about this to come along and witness first hand to what they have to say about this,
Mr Prew: You fail to say how the youngsters feel about this issue, do they, or do they not, agree with Wayne Davids Views??????
Yes Arthur, it would be good to know what the under eighteens themselves think. If this has been debated almost every year, at the Youth Forum, I think it is likely that at least one of the forum’s members has tabled a motion to ask for the vote. This being the case what was the result?
It would be beneficial for people to know how the respective young people themselves feel about this issue, Perhaps Councillor Prew, the Young People Champion in the borough, and someone with the ear of lots of local youngsters, can tell us.
I think its a good idea, young people are more politically aware than most.
Particularly; and compared to those who are still stuck in the “False – Left – Right” paradigm.
There is a political awakening going on, more youngsters are realising the system for what it is: they realise; that the system takes power away from the people and transfers it into hands of a few men.
Zbigniew Brzezinski who is a facillitator for one world government: made these comments at a Council on Foreign Relations meeting.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yHqpJUSKQEA
Hillary Clinton stated thst the USA & UK are losing the information war to alternative media.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LyjnEm8DZkI
Well HIllary, when politicians lie on a daily basis and use mainstream media outlets to propoganderise that information you will get an awakening.
Below are quotes about corruption in government.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Da1TUeuLIaE