At Researching Reform we make no bones about the fact that we are absolutely pro lowering the voting age to 16 for all public elections. In an era where information is so readily accessible, and our young men and women are more vocal than ever before about politics, we think allowing 16 year olds to vote is a great idea. Fostering responsibility and interest in their future and the destiny of the planet really can’t hurt, can it?
That’s what the Youth Select Committee wants to know. And you’re invited to submit your thoughts to them. In a news item on Parliament’s website published today, the Committee looks set to explore the following issues surrounding lowering the voting age to 16:
- Should the age at which people are allowed to vote be lowered? Why/why not? If yes, to what age?
- For what reasons is the voting age currently set at 18? What qualities mean that a person is ready to vote? Do 16 and 17-year-olds possess these qualities?
- Should the age at which people are able to vote vary between types of election? For example, should the voting age be different for local and General elections?
- What short term and long term effect would lowering the voting age have on voter turnout? Should the likely turnout of 16 and 17-year-old voters affect the decision on whether to lower the voting age?
- What can be learned from countries where the voting age is lower than 18 or where lowering the voting age has been proposed?
- What was the motivation for allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in the referendum on independence for Scotland? What can be learned from this example?
- What would the practical implications of lowering the voting age be?
- How effectively does citizenship education prepare young people to vote? How could it be used to prepare young people to vote?
- What is the best way to engage young people with the political process?
If you’re under 18, the Committee is particularly interested to know what you think about the following:
- Would you vote if the voting age was lowered to 16? Why/why not?
- Do you feel ready to make an informed decision about who to vote for? What would help you feel prepared to vote?
The call for evidence closes on 2nd May, 2014, so do go for it if you want to take part. We will certainly be sending in a submission.
Oral evidence sessions in the House of Commons on the topic will take place in June and July, 2014.
If you’d like to submit something, the Committee asks that you do before noon on 2nd May, 2014. Responses should be e-mailed tobycyouthselect@parliament.uk. The body of the e-mail should include a name and contact details. Further submissions guidelines are available to read here (see Call for Evidence – How to Respond section).
Evidence that is submitted will be published on the British Youth Council website.
Check out the Youth Select Committee website to learn more about these guys and girls.
No doubt the Committee are already aware of The Private Members’ Bill on the same topic floating through Parliament, although this appears to have stalled. Perhaps Lord Tyler, who sponsored the Bill, will look to get this moving as it is now going to be central to much debate over the next few weeks.
Exciting times.
UPDATE: Added 20/03/14 Political and Constitutional Reform Committee take evidence on lowering the voting age, as well as young voter engagement, and hears from the President of the National Union of Students. The debate is well and truly rolling.
Youth Select Committee
Researching Reform 
Natasha, good afternoon. Interesting piece, but why stop at 16? Hell, let’s get it down to 5 years of age. The voting age needs to be raised, not lowered. 30 sounds about right. Lowering the voting age is all about increasing the Leftie vote, which means accelerating yet further the destruction of what was once a civilised society.
Have a nice day.
Mike Buchanan
JUSTICE FOR MEN & BOYS
(and the women who love them)
http://j4mb.org.uk
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Good afternoon, Mike. I see your point. I think voting is about fostering responsibility in young people, so that they can be aware of the world around them and how it will affect their future. Some 16 year olds already want to vote. With an increase in social media and other social activism channels, young adults have shown increasingly that they want to be vocal about issues that matter to them – issues that affect government. The ability to vote cannot be dependent solely on the maturity and understanding of a person – if so, perhaps we should subject adult voters to that test. many adult voters today don’t know who or what they’re voting for. Many vote on instinct, or ideals. Some vote emotionally. The reality is a lot more nuanced, I think, than an age issue.
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“The ability to vote cannot be dependent solely on the maturity and understanding of a person – if so, perhaps we should subject adult voters to that test.”
Natasha, an excellent idea! We’ll consider it for our 2015 general election manifesto.
A year ago I was chatting to a friend in a pub, and happened to mention that in my personal experience women tended to be less interested in politics than men. The nearby barmaid (early 20s, moody EVERY day of the month) said, ” ‘Ere, I ‘eard that! You’re talkin’ bo*****ks! Me an’ my girlfriends are all VERY interested in politics!”
My friend then asked her politely what she thought of David Cameron. She replied, ‘David Cameron? ‘Oos ‘e? Labour?’ I choked on my beer. One of the happiest moments in my life.
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Mike, I already take the view that you’re something of a misogynist. I’m sure you have your own personal reasons for that. But I don’t think one lady’s answer is indicative of a whole gender’s views. We have a few females in politics all around the world. Feminists would argue we have been set back years due to the patriarchal models used in the West. Others might say that child rearing has played its part. Either way, I know plenty of women who are very politically aware.
This post though, is not about women. It is about minors being able to vote. It is rather telling perhaps, that you continue to focus on women, regardless of topic.
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Thanks Natasha. I get it. Women are interested in politics and competitive sports, while men are interested in celebrity gossip and fashion. Let’s leave it at that. It’s just different on the planet I personally live on. I’ve said enough, and I know you won’t disagree with that!
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Hi Mike….. I think the world is changing. I think all men and women are different. I also think we do genetically fit into some patterns, whether by nature or nurture. Having said that, the world is becoming a more nuanced place for men and women. Roles and responsibilities are evolving. Women are learning to be in the workplace, men are learning to wash and dry stuff 😉 And yet, some women in days gone by did not want to have children and some men did not want to work. It’s a very complex, shifting environment this gender thing.
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Natasha, I am not ‘something of a misogynist’. Shaming tactics have been used to silence men standing up for the human rights of men and boys, and they’re losing their power. Good luck with finding a replacement tactic.
We’ve had enough of the state doing nothing about the high rate of male suicide (3.5 times the rate of female suicide, 30 years ago it was 1.9 times – the female rate has declined over that time, the male rate has increased), denial of fathers’ rights of access to children, lack of support for male victims of domestic violence, homelessness, disadvantaging in education, politics (all-women shortlists), the workplace, healthcare, far harsher treatment than women in the justice system, MGM, and so much more.
We’re going to be putting out a press release next Monday which I think will make waves in the mainstream media. Please email me mike@j4mb.org.uk if you’d like to be added to the email circulation list.
All this is totally OT on an interesting piece about voting age, so feel free to publish or not. I honestly couldn’t care either way.
Have a good day.
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Hi Mike. I’m not interested in silencing anyone. If I were, your comments would have been disabled a long time ago. My comment about your views on women are directed just at you. Not other men, or boys. I find your logic irrational. This post is not about male suicide, women voting or fathers’ rights. In future, if you are unable to stick to topic, I will have no choice but to remove your posts.
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We make so many demands on young people these days, that it follows they should be allowed a say in who runs the country. Our students are to be admired in how they speak out, and their numbers have made differences in many recent media exposures. Young people are the future of Britain and there is a need to listen to what they want and to bring about change
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Thank you for your comment, Tarjia. I agree with you. We just can’t ignore the increased levels of maturity these young people experience today. Turning back the clock is not an option.
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The unique beauty of being young is that you can make mistakes, indeed are expected to do so, and yet usually avoid serious consequences.
I know there is a common complaint that Thirty-Something’s these days have the mental age of a 15 years old 40 years ago but I would still prefer teenagers to grow into their maturity rather then being thrust into it by liberal do-gooders.
Social media carries no consequences or respionsiblities, nor even any duties – so let’s not confused by this argument.
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Reblogged this on World4Justice : NOW! Lobby Forum..
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