16 and 17 year olds to vote?

[dougs]

The old do not have to live with the consequences of their actions.

Maybe the old can pitch their ideas but only 16-21 year olds get to vote on them

 

[monaghan]

I'd go with compulsory voting, I mean a quarter of the country not voting for a major change to the future of the country with impacts that go well beyond the period of a parliament, the choice of the next parliament is going to be a major decision as well and look at the average turnout for a normal vote.

Kids should have a voice, our local council has a youth council and each year the youth pitch their most important ideas to the main council in a formal meeting and usually these are adopted and implemented.

Why not have some age related representation, I don't want a spotty teen or an old duffer making my decisions for me, but I can see the value of a youth (mid teens to 25?), adult (25 to retirement) and a retired point of view being held and debated equally with each having a vote.

 

[martin-s]

The old do not have to live with the consequences of their actions.

On what planet? You don't die at 65, or even stop living, though you do perhaps start to become increasingly vulnerable.

Every member of society deserves a vote once they reach adulthood.

 

[Edwin]

Also, on any future referenda (if anyone's brave/foolish enough to hold them) it should be an absolute majority i.e. a majority of the eligible electorate, that's the winning line, not a simple majority of votes cast.

That way, even if voting's still optional - just as it is now - both sides would have to try far harder to engage the disaffected and disinterested.

 

[Edwin]

On what planet? You don't die at 65, or even stop living, though you do perhaps start to become increasingly vulnerable.

Related aside: if the elderly are vulnerable now, they're going to be completely defenseless when the current young generation come to power. Payback's a ____.

 

[gimpydog]

It's interesting to see that it is all the people here who shout "RACIST" the loudest who are the ones most "AGEIST"

Ageism is discrimination or unfair treatment based on a person's age. It can impact on someone's confidence, job prospects, financial situation and quality of life. It can also include the way that older people are represented in the media, which can have a wider impact on the public's attitudes.

 

[bonusmedia]

It's interesting to see that it is all the people here who shout "RACIST" the loudest who are the ones most "AGEIST"

Perhaps you haven't quite caught on that this a tongue-in-cheek conversation - I'm not seriously suggesting executing the old for crimes against humanity, however tempting

Nobody shouted racist at all. I said several times that it wasn't racist to discuss immigration. I pointed out that a single racist sentence was racist and then endured 100 pages of invective about ' playing the race card'. Some people ain't so bright.

Very nice emoticons though, they really brighten up your post. Well done

 

[bonusmedia]

In the UK, balance should be the role of journalism. I don't think state-sponsored fact provision/verification would be a step forward.

I think you just have to accept that a black/white vote like this is divisive. The less we do it, the better.

Suggesting that older people don't deserve a vote is ridiculous. They have learned the most lessons. In other cultures elders have great respect and I think they deserve it here too.

Oh come on - you can't be seriously suggesting we should trust the tabloids to give people the truth

Suggesting old people don't deserve a vote was a tongue in cheek reaction to the suggestion that young people don't deserve a vote

 

[martin-s]

Oh come on - you can't be seriously suggesting we should trust the tabloids to give people the truth

No, I said journalism!

Suggesting old people don't deserve a vote was a tongue in cheek reaction to the suggestion that young people don't deserve a vote

There's a difference. One is still an adult!

 

[bonusmedia]

The old in this country have royally %%^^&* the young. It amazes me that there hasn't been more discontent already.

Obviously there have been ups and downs and different people live in different circumstances, but overall the baby boomers have lived through a golden age. Free education, jobs for life, gold plated pensions, cheap housing, security. Now they're pulling up the drawbridge - it just isn't fair.

 

[gimpydog]

The old in this country have royally %%^^&* the young. It amazes me that there hasn't been more discontent already..... Now they're pulling up the drawbridge - it just isn't fair.

That'll be

tongue-in-cheek conversation

no doubt.

 

[bonusmedia]

Sorry, I'll avoid all subtlety in future.

Me and you good. Immigrants bad!

 

[gimpydog]

The old in this country have royally %%^^&* the young. It amazes me that there hasn't been more discontent already..... Now they're pulling up the drawbridge - it just isn't fair.

Sorry, I'll avoid all subtlety in future.

Me and you good. Immigrants bad!

If that's subtlety, I'd hate to read some of your less subtle posts.

 

[bonusmedia]

That's nice dear. Have a biscuit

 

[gimpydog]

That's nice dear. Have a biscuit

That'll be

tongue-in-cheek conversation

no doubt.

 

[monaghan]

The old in this country have royally %%^^&* the young. It amazes me that there hasn't been more discontent already.

Obviously there have been ups and downs and different people live in different circumstances, but overall the baby boomers have lived through a golden age. Free education, jobs for life, gold plated pensions, cheap housing, security. Now they're pulling up the drawbridge - it just isn't fair.

There may have been free education, but in my day there were only a handful who went to uni (I got a job with my O Levels) , these days, there's only a handful of my daughter's friends who are not planning to go to uni this year.

Jobs for life unless you were a miner, printer, machinist or other manual labourer, these were the 1st industries to be decimated.

Cheap housing? When? Maybe a bit cheaper, but still a struggle for those not on the massive city salaries when I was in my early 20's.

 

[websaway]

Looking for guidance on this subject.

For those that have total faith in expert advice.
The underwriters in insurance companies hugely load the premiums of young drivers.

 

[atlas]

Dear young Remainers...

65yo+ knew rationing
75yo+ knew the Luftwaffe
90yo+ knew Panzers

They didn't "steal your future," they gave you one

 

[websaway]

Dear young Remainers...

65yo+ knew rationing
75yo+ knew the Luftwaffe
90yo+ knew Panzers

They didn't "steal your future," they gave you one

I think if I was a thoughtful 17 year old I would find that poignant.

 

[dougs]

Maybe just empowering people who it will really effect the most would just be interesting....as the current way seems to be upsetting many people