Lowering the voting age is a “simple solution to a complex issue”

With the general elections looming, the debate over a lower voting age has split not only the political world, but also the academic world and the general public.

Numerous arguments have been proposed which look at various elements including the considered legal age of maturity and other legal opportunities for young people. Many believe that if young people are mature enough to fight for their own country then they should be able to have their say on political matters.

Following the Scottish Independence referendum, arguments have begun to focus on how a lower voting  age in other countries correlates with the level of turnout.

Dr Andrew Mycock, Reader of politics at the University of Huddersfield, said: “nearly all democracies retain the voting age at 18 or above. There is a lack of evidence to suggest that lowering the voting age on its own has increased turnout in countries such as Austria or Norway or youth political engagement.”

The Scottish Independence referendum showed that when the voting age was lowered to 16, turnout soared to 84% from 50.4% in 2011. “The Scottish independence referendum did see large numbers of young people engaged and at times their passion and commitment was breathtaking.”

“It would have been surprising if they had not engaged considering the campaign went for two years. There is a need for a more considered approach where we look at the evidence from across the world as well as in the UK before we lower the voting age.”

Proposals have suggested more opportunities are necessary to engage the younger population in politics, instead of introducing a lower voting age. UK Uncut and the Youth Parliament are just two of many organisations which have been introduced to enable young people to gain an understanding of politics. “We need to go beyond political parties and encourage young people to set the political agenda on their own,” he added.

Miliband has promised that the voting age will be lowered to 16 if Labour wins the election in May. This is a decision which will affect over 1.5 million 16 and 17 year olds who are currently unable to vote; which many feel prevents them from having their say.

Mycock suggested that lowering the voting age is a “simple solution to a more complex issue”. The voting age has before been altered in 1969 when it was lowered to 18. However, he suggests this change was brought on due to a “transformation in how British society understood the citizenship rights and responsibilities of young citizens”.

“Lowering the voting age may have a positive influence in the short-term but if it is introduced without full consideration of its ramifications it will simply push youth political disengagement to an earlier age.”

Perry Barr councillor reveals key issues to be addressed in general election

A Birmingham councillor has revealed littering is one of the key issues that will be discussed in the next general election.

Liberal Democrat councillors deemed littering to be one of key issues that needs to be addressed.

Liberal Democrat councillor Jon Hunt, councillor for Perry Barr, said: “The main issues we hear about are the state of the streets, litter dumping and potholes. I’ve also had a large number of inquiries recently about the introduction of wheelie bins which has not been handed well.”

Alongside his colleagues Ray Hassall and Karen Trench, he continuously makes himself known within the area and with residents by leafleting and listening to any issues constituents have.

Commenting on the work he and his colleagues have been doing to help the public, Hunt said: “I’ve been running vigorous campaigns to get justice for people who can’t handle wheelie bins.”

However, making a change for residents is becoming somewhat impossible. “The street scene is on-going. Some of our local resources are being taken from us. I voted and spoke in the city budget debate for more investment.”

A campaign has been launched to create the first-ever manifesto for Birmingham in preparation for the 2015 election.

The survey has been launched on the Birmingham Mail’s website and requires the interviewee to answer 30 multiple-choice questions. These focus on national and local subjects including NHS, education, immigration, crime, local policing and transport in the city.

This enables Birmingham Mail to formulate a manifesto, which they will present to the politicians.

The campaign attempts to gather information on what specifically campaigners want from their politicians.

Hunt said: “I am sure for the general election people will think about economic issues as well and whether they will be better off or worse off”.

Salman Charania, 19, a Birmingham resident identified the issues that he wants politicians to address.

He said: “I think the general election manifesto is a good campaign but I feel it won’t be very effective as the current government is too self-minded and selfish.”

“I want more government spending on the public and a decrease in tax rates for the lower income brackets to make a fairer system.”

“I don’t feel the government cares about the lower-earning sector of the country as much as they should. A lot of their decisions focus on helping higher-income earners rather than the general public. ”

Currently the Labour Party has the majority of councillors within Birmingham City Council as well as running the council, with 77 councillors out of 120.

31 of these 120 belong to the Conservative Party and 12 belong to the Liberal Democrat Party.

 

 

19 things you can do under the age of 18… but voting’s not one of them

With the general election looming people are preparing to cast their votes for the party they believe will spend four years attempting to run our country in the best way possible. Whilst these parties have declared their manifesto, there is one thing that almost every party is failing to address… the ability for 16-18 year olds to cast their vote; except Labour.

In the Scottish referendum, 16 – 18 year olds were legally able to vote and most took this opportunity to voice their opinions. Why then are we not following Scotland’s lead and allowing the voiceless youth to be heard?

Many people believe that at such a young age you’re just not mature enough to have a say in who should run the country.

Yet the Government sees you as mature enough to do the following 19 things…

1. From the age of 16 you can drive a moped and from 17 you are allowed to get behind the wheel of a car and learn to drive.
2. Be detained in custody under a Detention and Training Order for any serious offences or numerous offences. From custody the offender (you) will be held in a Young Offender Institution.
3. Change your name legally by deed poll. This gives you ultimate power over what you want everybody to call you and will be the name seen on any legal records… so don’t change it to anything you may regret!
4. You are able to buy a National Lottery ticket. If you’re lucky enough you could be a millionaire at just 16 and decide what to do with all that money… but no amount of money will buy you the ability to vote.
5. You are able to leave home if you wish; there is no law which keeps you from living with your parents/carer anymore so if you decide you want to move out you’re able to.
6. If you don’t want to stay at school you are able to apply for apprenticeships or training in employment or work full-time.
7. It becomes legal for you to get married; though between the ages of 16 and 18 this does require the permission of your parent or carer. Otherwise it is possible to get permission from the court.
8. Claim benefits where they are necessary (especially if you live away from your parents) and get a National Insurance number which you receive before your 16th birthday.
9. Unless you are still in full-time education then you may have to pay for prescriptions,dental treatment and eye treatment; something which otherwise only adults have to do.
10. At 16 you are legally considered old enough to decide what happens with your body and therefore are able to consent to medical treatment.
11. At the age of 16 you are able to pilot a glider plane and from 17 you can hold a private pilot’s licence for an aeroplane. 
12. If you wish to you are able to give blood from the age of 17, but can sign up from the age of 16.
13. Whilst you may laugh at it, you are only legally allowed to buy a pet from the age of 16.
14. You are able to sign up to any of the armed forces in your country (with parental consent)
15. Whilst eating a meal in a restaurant you are able to buy and consume beer, wine or cider at the manager’s discretion.
16. Something which a lot of teenagers  take advantage of when they reach the age of 16. You are able to buy your adult passport and go on holiday alone.
17. The law allows you to enter into a legally-binding contract and you can enforce it, but the other person can only enforce it if it is necessary to do so.
18. You can buy premium bonds on your own behalf; which for anyone who doesn’t know is a ‘lottery bond’ issued by the government. These are then entered into a monthly lottery and the holders of the winning numbers receive tax-free prizes  or premiums.
19. Finally, despite your inability to vote in elections you can, ironically, stand in elections as your Community Councillor.