This would not only instil a vote of confidence in the younger generation but also fulfil a right that they should already have. At the moment 16-year-olds can pay tax, marry in Scotland and join the armed forces without having the right to influence the government's decisions on these issues.
I think that the best way to get more people to vote is to educate them on what they are voting for and what voting actually means for democracy in Britain. Since 2005 citizenship classes have been compulsory for every student between the ages of 11 and 16, meaning that most 16-year-olds now could have a better idea of the political process than older voters.
Volunteering with the British Youth Council has meant I have been able to gauge the strong support there is among young people for the voting age to be lowered. I was lucky enough to go to a meeting held by the Democracy Coalition, which included minister Bridget Prentice. The main talking point was what could be done to engage young people in politics.
- Do you know a child or young person who could tell adults a thing or two? Call Nancy Rowntree on 020 8267 4918, email nancy.rowntree@haymarket.com.
