Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

Photo: Laura Wild

Jenny Harrison thinks the choice should be there for 16 year olds

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You  can have sex, join the army and get married all before the age of 18.

Now, the Co-operative has launched a campaign to lower the voting age from 18 to 16.

Rochdale Online reporter Laura Wild asked Rochdale shoppers if it gets their vote...

Mr and Mrs Forden said they think the system is ‘crazy’: “You can’t buy cigarettes or alcohol or gamble until you are 18, so to be able to vote at 16 when people haven’t seen much of life doesn’t make sense.

“At 16 people are more interested in computer games, they are too young to vote.”

Mr Forden continued: “People over 18 can’t be bothered to vote, there is a general apathy with adults and a lack of understanding when it comes to voting.”

Mrs Anne Mcvittie said: “I’m half and half on the matter, especially knowing my 16 year old grandson; I think it depends on the person and what they are doing when they leave school.”

Another shopper added: “Most 16 year olds don’t know what they want, although they think they do.

“It baffles me because I don’t think they understand politics and the sad fact in Rochdale is that most teenagers are just interested in alcohol.

“I don’t think it is a good idea at all.”

Jenny Harrison, said: “I don’t think there is anything wrong in giving the 16 year olds the option, some 18 years olds don’t vote and others do so I think the choice should be made available”

Brian Heath argued that 16 years old don’t have the knowledge to vote, he said: “16 year olds aren’t interested in voting, they don’t know enough about politics and they are interested in other things.

“I suppose it depends on the individual but you have to be 18 to do most things so I think it should stay at 18 to vote.”

Judith and Alan Farrer agreed, they said: “16 is too young, teenagers aren’t responsible enough to make that decision, and they won’t be interested just as many 18 year olds aren’t interested. Many people just vote who their mum and dad vote for unless they have a really strong opinion.

“It perhaps depends if they have a job at 16 or what issues affect them, and perhaps whether they are interested in current affairs and whether politics means anything to them.”

Lyndsey Grundy, said: “They are still children at 16 and won’t fully understand. I think it is a bad idea.”