Snp Want Votes For 16 +17 Year Olds Aneu Citizens In Ge

[webbo3]

http://news.sky.com/story/snp-want-16-and-17-year-olds-to-have-vote-in-christmas-election-11848129

Are they desperate for votes, we can't vote in EU elections only the local ones and children fresh out of school will listen to their parents.

[maggiebee]

//How about a quelifying test for 16 to 18 year old? And see if they are savvy enough?//
Would agree Theland provided there is a similar test for all over 60s. Asked a friend why she had voted the way she did and her reply, in my local Dundee dialect, was "Eh dinnae ken". Enough said.

[THECORBYLOON]

How about a test for the over-seventies to make sure they're not dottled?

[Bobbisox1]

I’d happily take part TCL hehe

I think Jezza is clutching at straws now , he’s one desperate bloke

[Jackdaw33]

Jezza is 70, Clarke is 79!

[Theland]

So many politically ignorant people.
Problem is, no taxation without representation.

"Ooh I don't like the look of him."

Bigotry rules.

[spathiphyllum]

A lot of people (elders) vote for certain parties, regardless on their policy's, simply because their parents did, and their parents parents.. etc.. etc.. etc......

[Bobbisox1]

Funny you should say that Spath, I’m from a mining community which by tradition votes labour, yes I have in the past but Tony Blair put a stop to that , I’ve voted Lib Dem....till now, I’m not sure I’ll vote again anyway as my vote was kicked into touch by those who want the best of 3, but if I do, it’ll be for Boris, he’s the only trying his best to move us out of this quagmire

[Theland]

True. And for the first time in my life, after voting Labour for over 40 years, I shall vote Boris.
Corbyn is an antisemitic friend of terrorists, and weak weak weak.

[ichkeria]

Boris Johnson is for Boris Bobbi.
No one else. The quagmire is only starting believe me.
In fairness I don’t blame the government if they pull this if it means delaying an election for six months.
IF it means that ...

[webbo3]

Ichkeria @14:35

//you are of course allowed to marry at 16 and join the armed forces.//

With your parents permission and not in a combat role.

[New Judge]

//By what law of nature should people be deemed children for the purposes of voting but not other “adult” things?//

It’s already been pointed many of the areas that 16-17 year olds are considered “children”. One other important area is criminal law. They are dealt with in closed courts, reporting restrictions apply to any case they are involved with (whether as a defendant, witness or victim), the sentences imposed on them are completely different and far more lenient and if they are committed to custody they do not serve time in an adult prison until they are 21. This indicates that until they are older they must still warrant special treatment because of their immaturity.

//…but you can marry at 16//

In England & Wales (where about 89% of the UK’s population lives) you cannot marry under 18 unless you have parental consent. This indicates to me that people of that age are still in need of guidance when it comes to important matters.

//"Ooh I don't like the look of him."//

With the current batch of MP’s (and those likely to succeed them) not liking the look of one is as good a reason as any for withholding one’s vote. Few of them have any other particular attributes on which to judge whether they would make a good agent or not.

[davebro]

Well I wouldn't vote for that Arlene Foster. She looks like a bulldog chewing a wasp!

[New Judge]

//Well I wouldn't vote for that Arlene Foster. She looks like a bulldog chewing a wasp!//

Indeed. Not to be crossed in a back alley on a dark night. :-)

[ichkeria]

As I indicated before, defining someone as a “child” per se is no argument against giving them the vote. That’s just a definition for legal convenience - and handy if you want to stop .... giving them the vote. The real clincher in any case is the marriage factor. Old enough to marry, old enough to vote.
I wonder which amendments will be chosen tonight.

[Mozz71]

If you pay taxes, or spent your adult life paying taxes, you should be allowed to vote.

There you go, simple.

[pixie374]

Yes, mozz... that makes some sense. Although I appreciate that 16 year olds nowadays are at least as informed and aware as most "adults".

[ichkeria]

And what if you work but pay no tax?
Or pay tax but are a criminal ? :-)

[Mozz71]

Your Answer...//And what if you work but pay no tax?
Or pay tax but are a criminal//

If you have previously paid tax you're fine. If you're still serving time, then bad luck, if you're a former con, you've served your punishment so its business as usual.

I'm sure exceptions can be made for folk on disability benefit etc.

[Old_Geezer]

Is demanding this Corbyn's route out of a GE ?

Labelling someone a child is a perfectly valid reason to deny them a vote. Children don't have the experience or abilities they will have as an adult and can't be expected to make a reasonable decision. It's their inability to do so that means they are protected in society from their own follies. Surprised it needs pointing out.

[Deskdiary]

"That’s just a definition for legal convenience..."

No it is not.

It is perfectly reasonable to take your assertion to the absurd logical conclusion that 14 year olds should be entitled to vote. Or 12 years olds.

Until society considers 16 years olds mature to make the decision to smoke, or gamble, or get a tattoo, or any other number of things where 18 is deemed to the age at which they can, it is a nonsense to suggest they are mature enough to vote.

A 16 year old now will get their opportunity to vote in a few years time. What's the rush?