My first blog..

Having never written a blog before, I'm not entirely sure how to begin. I am under no illusions that anyone will read this but aim to use it more as a diary... The idea being that through writing about... well, anything... I will develop my thoughts and improve my expression of them in the hope that, one day, someone will want to read them.

I think that's enough of an introduction. I will perhaps begin with a rant... I can only pray this will not be the enduring theme... We'll see.

This weekend I went to Paris with my school for a conference about the future of young people in the EU where several speakers had a captive audience of hundreds of young people from across England. One such speaker was Kate Hoey, Labour MP, who spoke out about her views that the voting age should be lowered to 16... and then stopped. Later, Caroline Flint spoke about the curriculum including decision making at a young age, in order to build their democratic skills...and then stopped.

Needless to say the important issue behind their words was not heard loud and clear by the audience who, despite being of the considered age and having an interest in politics were left unconvinced. Lowering the voting age would enable young people to have a say in the world they are expected to take responsibility for.... having children, getting married and joining the armed forces are a possibility at 16. Admittedly, as Caroline Flint argued, this can only be done with parental consent, so why not be able to vote with such consent?

Of course there are those who would abuse the lowering of the voting age... but if between the ages of 16 and 18 you had to apply in order to gain your voting rights this could easily be avoided... how many people would go through the hassle of a registration process "for a laugh"? Not many.

Having said that, isn't it a little harsh to say that because people are young they are all irresponsible? How many 18 and 19 year olds can really own to a informed knowledge of the government they are voting for? How many actually use their vote? I suspect no more or less than a 16 year old would.

Finally, if so concerned about young peoples reckless voting... the answer is simple... EDUCATE! I do not mean Carolines ideas about "team work" in primary school... I mean getting people involved, fired up, interested in the workings and causes of politics so that when they come to vote... they want to because they know who they support and why!

Would it not be more beneficial to encourage consideration than to delay ignorance?