BEHIND THE HEADLINES: Should 16-17 year-olds get the vote?

THE referendum on Scottish independence, and its outcome, will drive fundamental changes in the political landscape in the UK.

Among those could be one that gives a voice to 16- and 17-year-olds in the shape of the right to vote.

More than 100,000 under-18s registered to vote in Scotland’s referendum, and some politicians have taken up the issue of lowering the voting age as a means of widening democracy.

An Argus website poll on the issue, asking the question ‘do you think 16-17 year-olds should get the vote?’ saw 200 people saying ‘no’ against 67 who said ‘yes’.

Whether there is ultimately an appetite for change remains to be seen, but as the Argus discovered, there is certainly an appetite in Gwent, at least for debating the issue.

There was a mixture of scepticism and enthusiasm aired last week, when politics students at Croesyceiliog comprehensive school in Cwmbran debated lowering the voting age.

Year 13 pupil Estella Thomas, 17, said it would be a bad decision. “Turnout is already low, people at that age don’t know what they are voting for,” she said.

“They probably want to focus more on their GCSEs. We shouldn’t really lower the voting age until they’re educated on politics.

“We of course have more knowledge (about politics) because we take politics (as a subject).”

Fellow Year 13 pupil Lloyd Harris, 17, said: “There’s a danger you might get influenced by certain teachers. Our teachers aren’t biased but you could get that.

“At 18 you have to start thinking for yourself, being more independent, 16-year-olds get everything handed to them.”

Year 12 student Cameron Elliott, 16, said more people are influenced by the media than their teachers, while Year 12 pupil Courtney Preston, 16, felt young voters might be influenced by their parents.

When asked whether other legal limits such as learning to drive should be raised to 18, Estella said: “If everything was raised to 18 it would be a lot simpler.”

Year 13 pupil Catrin Williams, 17, said: “I don’t agree with everything but it shouldn’t all be at 18.”

Year 12 student Darren Bush, 16, said: “If someone suddenly throws a lot of responsibility at you it could be too much.

“I don’t think 16-year-olds should be able to vote, I don’t think they are really competent enough to air their opinions, they’re not interested.”

When asked whether governments would have to tailor their policies towards youngsters if 16-17 year-olds could vote, Year 13 pupil Abbie Prosser, 17, said: “Adults have a full time job and pay taxes. When you’re 16 you don’t. There are a lot of policies they couldn’t tailor towards young people.”

Speaking about the recent Scottish referendum on independence, when 16-year-olds were allowed to vote, Estella said: “They were only allowed to vote because they may just vote yes out of compulsion. Sixteen-year-olds are more easily swayed.”

Lloyd said: “It’s their future. They should be able to vote in referendums, not general elections.”

Abbie said: “Sixteen-year-olds wouldn’t look into what the party actually stands for. They will be left with a party they don’t like.”

Estella said: “At 16 you don’t know the consequences of your actions.”

When asked when children should be educated about politics, such as in primary school, Darren said: “Primary school is a bit drastic, I don’t think they should be burdened with the thought of the future.”

The prospect of lowering the voting age drew a range of opinions from people in Newport when the Argus asked them for their views.

Al Horlock, 70, of Newport, said: “Yes (it should happen). Lots of young people do not get the respect they should.”

Wife Carol Horlock, 69 agreed: “They did it in Scotland and it’s sensible to get everyone involved.”

Georgina Kemp, 21, from Newport, said: “I think it should come in. It might get people more interested.”

But Benedict Turner, 21, of Risca, urged caution. He said: “Not really. When I was 16, I was not quite ready to vote. I think it’s a case of voting for who your parents vote for unless you’re quite exceptional.

“I think it would have to be trialled very carefully. I think it was a case of indoctrination in Scotland. It would be great to involve young people, but it’s important for them to make an informed choice and there needs to be a change in the education system for that.”

Sheila Reed, 71, of Newport, said: “I don’t see why not. It would get young people more interested in politics.”

Richard Kendall, of Newport, is also in favour. He said: “Yes, over 100,000 people under the age of 18 registered to vote in the referendum in Scotland.

“The average voting age is going up, so I think it would be a great idea. If you went into schools and asked about what Labour is about, there’s definite involvement.

“There’s a generation that doesn’t feel a part of politics and that politics does not involve them. Lowering the age would be a start.”

Seventeen-year-old Alex Lawson, of Newport, said: “I would like to see it. It’s our right.”

Joshua Griffiths, aged 17, of Newport, said: “Definitely. There would be a greater variety of ages with more opinions. Everyone, regardless of age, has their own thoughts.”

Liam Brabham, 19, of Newport, agreed too, despite saying that 16-17 year-olds do not know as much about the wider world.

“They have their own opinions as much as we do,” he said.

* Barely had the result of Scotland’s referendum been confirmed before first minister Carwyn Jones said the process was “proof” the voting age should be lowered in all UK and Welsh elections.

“The case has been made much more strongly for 16 and 17-year-olds to get the vote more generally in elections across the UK,” he said.

“Will it happen in Wales? It would be very difficult to argue against it happening anywhere else in the UK.”

Welsh Liberal Democrats leader Kirsty Williams AM said the Scottish referendum “must be used as a springboard for votes at 16 to be extended to all elections.”

“It’s terrible to think that many of the young people who took part in such an important vote will now again be excluded,” she said.

Newport West MP Paul Flynn, is strongly in favour, hailing the “brilliant success” in Scotland.

“I would like to see it introduced here, preferably before the next general election,” he said.

Chris Evans, Labour MP for Islwyn, supports the idea provided votes for 16 and 17-year-olds are accompanied by the teaching of politics in schools.

“In this country we have an odd system where you can drive a car at 17 but can’t drink until you’re 18 and you can’t vote until you’re 18. We need a catch-all age,” he said.

Paul Halliday, the Liberal Democrats’ prospective parliamentary candidate for Newport East, said it was clear in Scotland that young voters did not just vote the way their parents voted or for superficial reasons.

“They were looking at the issues, investigating and making decisions based on what they thought was right. We would see young people really getting involved,” he said.

“I think we have enough time to get it through parliament before the general election next year.”

David Davies, Conservative MP for Monmouth, finds the arguments for votes for 16 and 17-year-olds, based on what other things they can and cannot do at those ages, “a bit illogical.”

He feels the calls for lowering the voting age have “the air of a gimmick” but “I don’t think it’s the end of the world either way.”