Voting age to be lowered to 16 by next general election

There are fckwits who are 60 and fckwits who are 16. The “stupid and irresponsible” kids aren’t going to be the ones going out to vote. The ones that can be bothered to vote will probably almost all have an informed opinion of who they’re voting for and why.

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Originally Posted by tforturton

The only reason it's being introduced is because the stats show that the majority of people at that age are Labour voters.

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perfectly good reason in my opinion.

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Originally Posted by splott parker

Right wing fascism in the UK is a worry, no matter how much it’s dressed up.

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Would be a worry anywhere and at any time.

It's not really what's happening though is it, no more so than the extreme left. What most people lazily call fascism these days is just right wing.

It's good to have left, centre and right wing politics. It's just sad that these days you can't seem to debate topics like the migrant crisis without being labelled a fascist or racist.

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Originally Posted by Dorcus

Great idea 👍 a shame it wasn't introduced before the Brexit vote

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90% of em won't bother

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Originally Posted by Rjk

My eldest is 15 now and I would absolutely trust him to make a sensible decision at an election - it may well be different from the one I would make, but it would be coming from themselves, not from me or any online influencers.

My other two are 11 and 13 - and the idea of either of them both voting at the next election potentially is entirely worrying.

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They vote for what benefits them the most, the same as the rest of us, that's the 10% that can be arsed to vote, and they will believe all the AI-produced political nonsense on social media.

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Originally Posted by North Cardiff Blue

90% of em won't bother

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I can’t blame them, I’m 45 and voted all my life, I won’t be voting again. Promise after promise followed by lie after lie. Self serving liars, all of them

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Originally Posted by Heathblue

Only if they can vote by Phone!!!, i don't think it's a bad idea TBH on reflection, too many oldies have too much influence in a world where one foot is already in the grave and do not suffer the consequences of their actions.

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Why don’t we just bump those old pests off, then the youngsters will have a free rein. What age would you suggest we start at?

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Originally Posted by Trigger

Would be a worry anywhere and at any time.

It's not really what's happening though is it, no more so than the extreme left. What most people lazily call fascism these days is just right wing.

It's good to have left, centre and right wing politics. It's just sad that these days you can't seem to debate topics like the migrant crisis without being labelled a fascist or racist.

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Exactly, and how someone can use that as a reason to be in the EU, when some genuinely far-right parties would be voting on our own laws in a parliament dominated by Conservative parties for decades is absolutely beyond me. Especially nine years after the event!

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Originally Posted by jon1959

You are a Reform supporter now, aren't you James? And would have voted Trump if you were in the USA last election and eligible?

The days of Respect and 'Gorgeous George' Galloway are long behind you.

I see your argument about experiencing life outside school before being allowed to vote. An interesting standard you have set there.

What is your opinion about Reform selecting an 18 year old brand new councillor to head Warwickshire County Council and its £500m annual budget?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyq62072q9o.amp

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I'm not sure what my voting biography has to do with it, but sure. My left-wing days are behind me, at least until the Left represent British working class values again some day.

Well, he's too young really isn't he. But I would imagine he's a figure head, but he is certainly a curious one. I'm sure we all wish him luck though.

I think only Labour voters should be allowed to vote.

Anyone on this board, no matter what age, will only have witnessed a Labour or Conservative government, with the odd coalitions sprinkled about.
Nothing will fundamentally change in any of our lifetimes, no matter what they change the voting age to.
I’ve worked all my life, and whether it be Red or Blue at the helm, it’s not mattered a jot.

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Originally Posted by William Treseder

Anyone on this board, no matter what age, will only have witnessed a Labour or Conservative government, with the odd coalitions sprinkled about.
Nothing will fundamentally change in any of our lifetimes, no matter what they change the voting age to.
I’ve worked all my life, and whether it be Red or Blue at the helm, it’s not mattered a jot.

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I think that's the fundamental problem with the two party system.

One gets in, holds the fort a while, when the public are tired they vote the others in whether their policies are any different or particularly inspiring. Rinse and repeat.

We don't really have proper choice. I think you could take most politicians and switch them between labour and cons with no real difference noticed.

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Originally Posted by Trigger

I think that's the fundamental problem with the two party system.

One gets in, holds the fort a while, when the public are tired they vote the others in whether their policies are any different or particularly inspiring. Rinse and repeat.

We don't really have proper choice. I think you could take most politicians and switch them between labour and cons with no real difference noticed.

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I quite like the idea of 16-year-olds voting for their own demise though.

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Originally Posted by Underhill1980

I can’t blame them, I’m 45 and voted all my life, I won’t be voting again. Promise after promise followed by lie after lie. Self serving liars, all of them

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well done to you sir and the more that think like you! the more they can take over.
they being the self serving liars

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Originally Posted by ToTaL ITK

well done to you sir and the more that think like you! the more they can take over.
they being the self serving liars

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What does voting in another group of self serving liars do? Nothing. Until the system is completely ripped up we’ll continue to keep getting shafted.

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Originally Posted by Trigger

I think that's the fundamental problem with the two party system.

One gets in, holds the fort a while, when the public are tired they vote the others in whether their policies are any different or particularly inspiring. Rinse and repeat.

We don't really have proper choice. I think you could take most politicians and switch them between labour and cons with no real difference noticed.

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I agree with you. The problem is, and always will be, how do you keep almost 70m people relatively happy? We can’t even agree amongst ourselves on here 😁

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Originally Posted by William Treseder

Anyone on this board, no matter what age, will only have witnessed a Labour or Conservative government, with the odd coalitions sprinkled about.
Nothing will fundamentally change in any of our lifetimes, no matter what they change the voting age to.
I’ve worked all my life, and whether it be Red or Blue at the helm, it’s not mattered a jot.

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Isn’t it something like we’ve had a Tory government for 32 of the last 45 years? It seems to be a patttern that the Conservatives ride roughshod over us, people eventually get pissed off and Labour get in for a short while. The right wing media, millionaires & billionaires put the boot in, with huge smear campaigns, concerned that a bit of fairness may start kicking in, hoodwinking the gullible and the Tories get back in for another nest feathering period.

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Originally Posted by splott parker

Isn’t it something like we’ve had a Tory government for 32 of the last 45 years? It seems to be a patttern that the Conservatives ride roughshod over us, people eventually get pissed off and Labour get in for a short while. The right wing media, millionaires & billionaires put the boot in, with huge smear campaigns, concerned that a bit of fairness may start kicking in, hoodwinking the gullible and the Tories get back in for another nest feathering period.

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Well said :thumbup:

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Originally Posted by jeepster

Well said :thumbup:

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This ^^

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Originally Posted by splott parker

Isn’t it something like we’ve had a Tory government for 32 of the last 45 years? It seems to be a patttern that the Conservatives ride roughshod over us, people eventually get pissed off and Labour get in for a short while. The right wing media, millionaires & billionaires put the boot in, with huge smear campaigns, concerned that a bit of fairness may start kicking in, hoodwinking the gullible and the Tories get back in for another nest feathering period.

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In a nutshell yes. But it will never change. We’ll just keep moaning about it in the pub, and on message boards.
They let the majority have just enough to keep them dumbed down.

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Originally Posted by NinianKnight

They can serve in the military but they can't take part in any active service until 18 years of age. When I was 16 I didn't pay tax because my salary was too low and I would imagine that is true of most 16 year olds. Those arguments are a bit of a stretch and are only being implemented because Labour believe it will be advantageous for their voter base

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So they can be taxed and serve in the military. Thanks for sorting that out.

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Originally Posted by JamesWales

EU didn't exist in 1973. Bloody hell, and you remainiacs like to sneer at others about not knowing the facts! 😘

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Are there people that still think leaving the EU was a good idea?

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Originally Posted by splott parker

Isn’t it something like we’ve had a Tory government for 32 of the last 45 years? It seems to be a patttern that the Conservatives ride roughshod over us, people eventually get pissed off and Labour get in for a short while. The right wing media, millionaires & billionaires put the boot in, with huge smear campaigns, concerned that a bit of fairness may start kicking in, hoodwinking the gullible and the Tories get back in for another nest feathering period.

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It's OK though because the Tories will take things from the poor. And their voters like that.

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Originally Posted by William Treseder

Why don’t we just bump those old pests off, then the youngsters will have a free rein. What age would you suggest we start at?

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You'll have to make it over 100, if it were over 70, the board would lose 90% :hehe:

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Originally Posted by William Treseder

Why don’t we just bump those old pests off, then the youngsters will have a free rein. What age would you suggest we start at?

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State Pension age.

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Originally Posted by splott parker

Isn’t it something like we’ve had a Tory government for 32 of the last 45 years? It seems to be a patttern that the Conservatives ride roughshod over us, people eventually get pissed off and Labour get in for a short while. The right wing media, millionaires & billionaires put the boot in, with huge smear campaigns, concerned that a bit of fairness may start kicking in, hoodwinking the gullible and the Tories get back in for another nest feathering period.

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I'm going to pull up a deckchair, pour myself a negroni, and sit back and enjoy the next four years of your wonderful Labour government..

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Originally Posted by A Quiet Monkfish

I'm going to pull up a deckchair, pour myself a negroni, and sit back and enjoy the next four years of your wonderful Labour government..

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Last one in most of the board's lifetime, they had almost a free hit and are making such a mess. With the JessaSultana party splitting the left-wing vote, there's a chance it may never fully recover. The same goes for the Tories, who are facing a similar threat from Reform.

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Originally Posted by A Quiet Monkfish

I'm going to pull up a deckchair, pour myself a negroni, and sit back and enjoy the next four years of your wonderful Labour government..

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The Labour government never have the time to be wonderful, would take a lot longer than that to sort out 14 years of incompetence. You wouldn’t know about that though, if you’re pulling up a deckchair for Labour’s tenure you must have been put in an voluntary induced coma for the Tory years.:hehe:

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Originally Posted by splott parker

The Labour government never have the time to be wonderful, would take a lot longer than that to sort out 14 years of incompetence. You wouldn’t know about that though, if you’re pulling up a deckchair for Labour’s tenure you must have been put in an voluntary induced coma for the Tory years.:hehe:

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:hehe:

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Originally Posted by A Quiet Monkfish

I'm going to pull up a deckchair, pour myself a negroni, and sit back and enjoy the next four years of your wonderful Labour government..

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how do you rate the last 15 years of Tory rule?

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Originally Posted by Hilts

State Pension age.

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You must have Tory blood in your veins you absolute bounder !! 😁

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Originally Posted by Rjk

how do you rate the last 15 years of Tory rule?

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Non-existent.

They didn't get my vote.

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Originally Posted by A Quiet Monkfish

Non-existent.

They didn't get my vote.

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You might not have voted for it, but it did happen.

And they presided on an unprecedented stagnation of living standards in this country, a flatlining economy and trashed all the public services.

It was the worst British governmental incumbency I can ever remember and there's been some shit shows in that time.

Why don't we all just agree that the cons were a shambles and Keir has said "hold my beer". Labour presented with an absolute tap in have gone out of their way to piss off as many people as possible, Keir and co can't be this incompetent, it has to be part of some grand plan surely.

They will win Welsh votes though so all good.

The uk is a broken place anyway losing billions every year, who cares who votes anymore to be honest, another 1.5 million added to the millions of clueless numpties means nothing.

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Originally Posted by goats

The uk is a broken place anyway losing billions every year, who cares who votes anymore to be honest, another 1.5 million added to the millions of clueless numpties means nothing.

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I understand the cynicism - but waving a white flag to the UK political parties and the neo-liberal consensus that most of them serve is not the answer.

The Chartists and the Suffragettes will be turning in their graves.

In my view we have a moral obligation to vote. The main parties may have more in common than differences - but the differences are still important.

If we don't like what is on offer, there are ways to change it from inside, or from outside.

Policy changes have been a regular feature of Starmer's first year - brought about by campaigners, trades unions, civil society putting pressure on MPs to defy the leadership.

Starmer is clueless, unprincipled and getting weaker. The Tories are a busted flush. Reform is a bitter and vacuous home for protest. The Lib Dems do bungee jumping. These people know how to play their game but they are not geniuses, they are usually not brave, and they have few roots. We (the public) can achieve change if we want to do that. Like the Chartists and the Suffragettes!

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Originally Posted by Trigger

Why don't we all just agree that the cons were a shambles and Keir has said "hold my beer". Labour presented with an absolute tap in have gone out of their way to piss off as many people as possible, Keir and co can't be this incompetent, it has to be part of some grand plan surely.

They will win Welsh votes though so all good.

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All the polls so far predict a plaid win but not enough to form government with reform coming second - if predictions are right plaid might have to form a three party coalition to have a chance of some element of power

Assuming the polls are out and reform win they would also have to form a coalition but with who is the question

I think the increase in seats and a change to the voting system is creating a completely different political landscape in Wales for next years elections

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Originally Posted by Nobody's Rep

All the polls so far predict a plaid win but not enough to form government with reform coming second - if predictions are right plaid might have to form a three party coalition to have a chance of some element of power

Assuming the polls are out and reform win they would also have to form a coalition but with who is the question

I think the increase in seats and a change to the voting system is creating a completely different political landscape in Wales for next years elections

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All indications suggest that the next generation of UK governments (national and regional) will be Joseph's coat of many colours. That won't make for easy bedfellows and the electorate is likely to become yet more frustrated.

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Originally Posted by Nobody's Rep

All the polls so far predict a plaid win but not enough to form government with reform coming second - if predictions are right plaid might have to form a three party coalition to have a chance of some element of power

Assuming the polls are out and reform win they would also have to form a coalition but with who is the question

I think the increase in seats and a change to the voting system is creating a completely different political landscape in Wales for next years elections

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Plaid winning? Jesus really? No chance surely? It’s bad enough kids have to drop decent subjects and do two Welsh GCSE’s now for no reason due to these nationalist clowns, imagine they had full control…..begs belief