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Activists demand powers to give 16-year-olds the right to vote

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Published Date: 28 October 2007
By KATRINE BUSSEY
SNP activists yesterday called for Scotland to be given the power to cut the voting age in council elections to 16.
Nationalists have long supported reducing the voting age, currently 18, by two years. But, although the Scottish Government is responsible for local government elections, the Scotland Act does not allow it to alter the voting age.

Delegates at th
e SNP annual conference in Aviemore unanimously backed a resolution calling for that power. Councillor David McDonald said: "This motion is intended to send a message to the Prime Minister that we in Scotland want to give our young people equality, that we want control over our own elections, and we want control over our nation's future."

David Linden, of Young Scots for Independence, pointed out that, although they could be paying tax, 16 and 17-year-olds had no say on issues such as the war in Iraq or Trident.

"Are they saying that, at 16, you don't have a say on weapons of mass destruction, the education system in which you are educated, the health service where you go if you are sick?

"I call on the UK Government to blow a wind of change through Scottish democracy, equality and fairness by giving our young people the respect and voice that they deserve in society.

"I urge them to transfer the legislation in the Scotland Act which controls local government voting to the devolved parliament here in Scotland, and continue this new revolution in Scotland."



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1

Bmac,

28/10/2007 02:33:43

I am significantly over the age of 16, pay an obscene amount of tax and also have no say about a war - so the point is?

2

Kung-Half-Fu,

Cathay Prolific 28/10/2007 03:32:30

16 is no age really for seriously rational thought about the global issues.

I remember when I was there and recall my dismal grasp of the issues of the day. 18 to 21? Yes and maybe. No disrespect teenies. Think about it and respect your elders.

3

Pelon,

Near the end & still not qualified 28/10/2007 04:01:13

16? Really? OK. And they think that will introduce... what? Clear thinking?

Do you know what rages through a vast majority of mid-teens minds? MTV... PS2... IM... and youknowwhat. And what percentage of 16, and 17 YOs do they expect will vote? So what will the revised campaign tactics look like, to curry favor from the 16, 17 YOs?

Is this an attempt to create the voting population the candidates can identify with, as they can't identify with and OLDER constituency? "Since these people won't listen to our puke, let's lose them and get some people who will listen to us, and they' vote us in."

ohmygawd.

4

Scotindy,

Los Angeles 28/10/2007 05:38:45

This is another step forward, our YOUTH to decide our Countrys future at an earlier age. Why not! The boring old farts have messed it it up so much , that any decision by the youth, has now got to be good....

5

Mercutio,

Falkirk 28/10/2007 06:00:39

Politicians should concentrate on getting those already enfranchised to use their vote, voting should be made compulsory with the facility to vote "none of the above".

6

Guga II,

Rockall 28/10/2007 07:48:14

In reality, anyone who pays tax, at any age, should be given the right to vote.

Anyway, as #4 has pointed out, the old farts haven't done too good a job at running the place. Maybe we do need some fresh ideas from younger minds.

#5 That's the main thing in any mandatory voting, being given the right to vote for "none of the above". Moreover, if "none of the above" gets a majority, that particular contest should be re-run, and all the failed candidates disbarred from participating.

7

big bad,

28/10/2007 08:08:09

the snp equivalent of the labour 'loony left' or the Tory's 'Europhobes'
A stick to beat the snp with. stupid idea will get nowhere as usual snp will cry look Westminster interfering again.

Ordinary scots will just roll up their eye's at this stupid idea. as they hand out their children's pocket money

8

StevenB,

28/10/2007 08:16:46

So 16 is old enough to vote but you cant buy a drink, cigarettes or drive a car. WTF is going on!

9

I'm no really here,

28/10/2007 08:28:38

#6 Really. So a baby of 18-months who inherits millions has the right to vote?

10

walter,

28/10/2007 10:07:14

David Linden, of Young Scots for Independence, pointed out that, although they could be paying tax, 16 and 17-year-olds had no say on issues such as the war in Iraq or Trident.

Or take their spouse out for a drink or buy a packet of cigarettes or join the military and serve in Iraq or drive a car.

It is about time we decided at what age some one becomes an adult and when that decision is made then they should be able to do the same as every other adult and make the same choices.

11

megz,

glasgow 28/10/2007 11:55:58

So kids of 16 can get married and start a family but can't vote, drive, drink or smoke. Am i the only one that thinks having kids and getting maried are more important decisions? Surely the age for that should be raised rather than bringing the age to vote down.

12

I'm no really here,

28/10/2007 13:12:48

#12 Agree

13

nabodican,

Skye 28/10/2007 15:10:49

The SNP have lost the plot on this one, thank goodness it is out of their hands.

14

,

28/10/2007 15:44:52
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason: Scotsman Import, Original comment id: 1094957, Article id was mapped to record!
15

Pelon,

In a booth, with the handle in my hand... 29/10/2007 01:03:26

OK, let's look at the drivers, the burdens, the bennies, and what constitutes a right to vote.

1) Simply stating an age limit excludes capable minds from the process, as well as minds not yet anatomically developed. The argument can be made that an anatomically undeveloped mind wouldn't vote anyway. Stike the age limit altogether.
2) If your resources are tapped, your input should be heard. We yanks have a recent experience akin to that subject. If your taxed, you can vote. Mandatory circumstance.
3) If you are of an age to be taxed, you must have the vote. You can also serve in the military, smoke cigarettes, marry of your own free will, and serve adult sentences in prison. Oh, goody. What eles makes it such a wonderful thing!?
4) A right to vote? This one get's sticky, dunnit? Well, if we have a world govt, the pre-req is simply being a member of the population. If you're dead, you're taken off the rolls. And also removed from the Ford, or Chevy. But what of our nations, states, cities, towns, districts, associations, and clubs? Well, join. Then you can vote according to their rules.


 

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