It looks as though 16 and 17 year olds in Scotland (or at any rate some of them) will be able to vote in the Independence referendum scheduled for 2014. And if under-18s are allowed to vote on the momentous question of whether Scotland should remain part of the UK or go it alone, it would seem strange not to allow them a voice in the composition of their local council. The former Scottish Secretary Lord Forsyth, who is firmly opposed to the suggestion, thinks it’s “inconceivable” that it could just be a one-off. Is this an idea whose time has come?
There’s an attractive case in favour. It’s argued, or at least hoped, that it would increase political engagement among the young, and give an added excitement and immediacy to school civics lessons. As things stand, turnout among 18-24 year olds is depressingly low. Extending the franchise downwards might just give young people the voting habit early. It works for smoking, after all. More seriously, politics has a real effect on the lives of teenagers and is vital for their future; why shouldn’t they be entitled to a say in who governs you? If you’re old enough to work, pay taxes, have sex, even get married, what’s so special about putting a cross on a ballot paper?
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