Bill to allow 16 year olds to vote to be debated in parliament

MaizieD

^As LemonJam has pointed out, the brain does not mature by 18 or even 21, so that would suggest that perhaps voting age should be in the mid-20s^

See my post a 11.30 am

When is an adult not an adult?

A young woman has just been sentenced to six years eight months in prison for causing death by dangerous driving, driving whilst uninsured and three other counts of causing serious injury. She was overtaking three cars recklessly at 96 mph approaching the top of a hill. She had passed her test two weeks previously.

The case is shocking but she was given the minimum sentence because of her age, apparently.

Simon Stirling, defending, suggested Mitchell’s actions were a result of “inexperience rather than irresponsibility”.

He said Mitchell had only recently passed her driving test and would not have understood the risk of the manoeuvre she was attempting.
Really?

If she is old enough to drive and is an adult, surely she should know and accept that comes with responsibilities?

A horrendous incident and yes Allira as she was old enough to drive she should have got an insurance and driven responsibly. The woman, Liberty Mitchell is 21 now- incident occurred 2/12/2022 just over 3 years ago when she was 18, less than 2 months after passing her driving test. She was driving without insurance so driving illegally and dishonestly. The judge said "you were at the time a reckless and immature young driver suffering from the fairly common teenage delusion that you were invulnerable and free to do as you wish". Thank goodness all early adult drivers are not like her.

Thank goodness also that a voting decision at either 16,17, 18, 19, 20, or 21 can be made by post or walking to a polling station and does not require any driving skills.

My DS told my DGS after he passed his test to remember he was still learning. It takes time to become an experienced driver and know your limitations.
He did listen to his dad and he is a safe driver.

LemonJam

A horrendous incident and yes Allira as she was old enough to drive she should have got an insurance and driven responsibly. The woman, Liberty Mitchell is 21 now- incident occurred 2/12/2022 just over 3 years ago when she was 18, less than 2 months after passing her driving test. She was driving without insurance so driving illegally and dishonestly. The judge said "you were at the time a reckless and immature young driver suffering from the fairly common teenage delusion that you were invulnerable and free to do as you wish". Thank goodness all early adult drivers are not like her.

Thank goodness also that a voting decision at either 16,17, 18, 19, 20, or 21 can be made by post or walking to a polling station and does not require any driving skills.

The case has only just come to court, that is why I mentioned it.

She is not representative of many young people of 18, of course, and perhaps her brain will not have matured even when she is 25 and one such person does not prove the point.

Whether or not someone can walk to a polling station is irrelevant.
It is whether young people are old enough to vote at 16 or even 18. It used to be 21.

We’re in agreement Allira- this drink driving conviction is not representative of all young people and has no relevance to young people’s voting decision.

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FranP

Never had a mortgage; never had to live alone, pay for rent, fuel or food, possibly not for clothes except fashion items.

Never had to decide if they can ever afford to have children.

Nor had I when I first voted at 19, save handing over some of my wage to my mother as housekeeping.

I worked from age 16 (15 if you count holiday jobs) married at 20; the first time I had had my own home and paid a mortgage. It made no difference to my political views which are no different 50 years later.

Nowaday, many young adults are still living with their parents well into their 30s. By your argument, they shouldn't have a vote either.

I quite agree.

We married when I was 16 and he was 18, had a mortgage.

Certainly old enough to vote!

In the US they can hold a driving licence, but legal drinking age is 21. Vote at 18.

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Norah

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FranP

Never had a mortgage; never had to live alone, pay for rent, fuel or food, possibly not for clothes except fashion items.

Never had to decide if they can ever afford to have children.

Nor had I when I first voted at 19, save handing over some of my wage to my mother as housekeeping.

I worked from age 16 (15 if you count holiday jobs) married at 20; the first time I had had my own home and paid a mortgage. It made no difference to my political views which are no different 50 years later.

Nowaday, many young adults are still living with their parents well into their 30s. By your argument, they shouldn't have a vote either.

I quite agree.

We married when I was 16 and he was 18, had a mortgage.

Certainly old enough to vote!

We married when I was 16 and he was 18, had a mortgage.

But you probably did't have a vote until 21.

In fact, the first time I could vote in a General Election was when I was 25!

And reform of the House of Lords (selection and tenure.)
Definitely.

Can’t quote for some reason, Oreo.
Yes, I expect mum does vote as stepdad suggests, which goes against the whole point of voting.

Basgetti

Can’t quote for some reason, Oreo.
Yes, I expect mum does vote as stepdad suggests, which goes against the whole point of voting.

I wonder if the carers were influencing my relative. Scary thought.