Higher, Lower Or Status Quo?

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-46737013
I think Higher.

[naomi24]

Higher.

[-Talbot-]

Definitely not lower.

[Buenchico]

As I've written here many times before, nobody should be allowed to vote unless they've passed A-level Economics. I don't care whether they're a super-bright 10-year-old or a senior citizen. People should at least have to understand what they're voting about before being allowed to do so.

[jim360]

Status Quo.

[Khandro]

//nobody should be allowed to vote unless they've passed A-level Economics.//
Spoken like a man with an A-level in economics. What a daft idea.

[ToraToraTora]

only economics Chris? there are other subjects. I do like the idea of voters actually understanding what they are voting for but I have no idea how that can be achieved in a non biased way. Perhaps everyone of the prescribed age gets a vote and then you can earn another for passing an exam on politics but the problem then is that the course and exam would never be neutral so on reflection, there is a reason why it's like it is.

[ludwig]

Status Quo.

// David Runciman, a professor of politics at Cambridge, recently called for it to be set at six, //

Six. What a pillock.

[Sqad]

Status Quo....although I do think that women should be given the vote.

[ummmm]

18 is ideal imo.

Chris....you talk such nonsense at times.

[andy-hughes]

Higher - but Francis Rossi would get my vote if he stood for election.

[woofgang]

I think 18 is fine, can’t see raising it to 21 would make much difference. Certainly no lower.

[sunny-dave]

Firstly - mandatory voting - with penalties for not bothering to turn up - with an IDGAF option on each ballot paper.

Then I'd like a multiple vote system - for instance (off the top of my head and not entirely worked through) :

Everyone gets one vote (at age 21).

It is then possible to get additional votes by demonstrating :

1. Education - proper A Levels in real subjects (no media studies for instance) and ditto Degrees

2. Proof of economic worth over a 5 year period - a net gain to the UK - taxes paid balanced against benefits drawn

3. Whatever else I think of in the next ten minutes ...

[Mamyalynne]

I have recently said I think it should be lower, I have rethought that - now I go with Status Quo.

[Sipowicz]

Down down, deeper and down!

[Rockrose]

No voting after retirement

[goodgoalie]

How about being able to finish The Listener, dave? That rules me out, then...

[sunny-dave]

No taxation without representation then, Rockrose?

[sunny-dave]

Five extra votes for that, danny :)

[Lie-in King]

As is.

[kvalidir]

16, however with a proviso that political and social responsibility is taught in schools from age 11 and more responsibility is given to young people generally at an earlier age. So many people feel it's okay not to vote at all, which is a real problem. Electoral complacency is something which cripples society and allows undemocratic things to slide in via the back door.
I agree with a lot of the article which states that young people no longer have enough of an adult role at an early enough age and imho that needs remedying as people my age are often woefully ill equipped to deal with things because they have never had the opportunity to actually do anything meaningful and useful to their progression as a person. I've found this when conducting interviews, half the people under 20 don't turn up, some turn up late, shambolic, only a very few actually have themselves together in any meaningful way and it's not a hard thing to teach, just not enough is expected of them imho, and that's down to our education system not teaching self discipline and how to actually 'adult' properly.