Prominent politicians have called for the voting age to be lowered. Late last year Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn Tweeted: “On Friday, MPs will be able to support a Bill to bring the voting age down to 16.” For Rising East, Hanaan Sheikh agreed that voting should be oriented towards those who have to live longer with the consequences, starting at 16.
I disagree, because when I was 16 years-old (three years ago) I didn’t keep up to date with news affairs and I wasn’t the type of person that paid huge attention to politics. I was far more interested in sports news, and most of my friends felt the same way. So, it would have made no sense for us to have the right to vote at 16.
But maybe 16-year-olds today are more mature than I was. I asked six teenagers if they follow current affairs – four of them from my church; the others are just friends.
Firstly, 16-year-old Claudia, who is taking her GCSEs at Greenshaw High School, Sutton, said that she does not pay any attention to the news at all.
Secondly, 15-year-old Barbara who attends St Philomena’s Catholic High School for Girls in Carshalton, also said that she does not really follow the news.
Thirdly, 15-year-old Jason who attends Thomas More Catholic School in Purley, admitted that he doesn’t pay any attention to news, either.
Rachel is taking A Levels at Harris Academy, Merton, and she too said she pays no attention to current affairs.
Fifteen-year old Jessica who attends the Quest Academy in South Croydon, replied that she does not watch the news.
Lastly, 15-year-old Clement who is studying for GCSEs at Harris Academy, Merton, reported that he does pay some attention to the news but not that much.
In this straw poll, only one person out of six showed any interest in the news whatsoever, whereas five out of the six people I asked, did not pay any attention to news at all. So, they’re not going to know much about politics!
Surely this suggests that the voting age should not be lowered to 16. Imagine if these teenagers could vote on all the things, they know nothing about! I am not saying they are dumb. What I am trying to imply is that they are too young to shoulder these kinds of responsibilities. In a few years’ time they will be mature enough – but not yet.
To qualify for a vote, we should be all old enough to use it wisely.
