Meddling with the voting age will only harm trust in British democracy
Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, says: 'For too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged.' It will be damaged further by the Government meddling with elections.
Roger Gentry
Weavering, Kent
SIR – As our Prime Minister announces that he will give 16-year-olds the vote, I look back to my 16th year and shudder at my stupidity. It was only four years later, in 1979, that I voted in my first general election. Fortunately I chose the right candidate.
Simon Perks
Poughill, Devon
SIR – If 16-year-olds are deemed sufficiently mature to be enfranchised, this has wider implications. They should also be considered old enough to drive a car, pay adult fares on public transport, buy alcohol and tobacco, be tried in an adult court – and, if convicted, be sent to an adult prison.
Without such changes, Labour's plan can only be seen as an attempt to garner votes at the next general election.
Dr Alf Crossman
Rudgwick, West Sussex
SIR – Sir Keir Starmer argues that, as 16-year-olds are old enough to work and pay tax, they are entitled to a say over how those taxes are spent. Does this imply that those who choose not to work and do not pay tax should not be able to vote?
John D Frew
Ipswich, Suffolk
SIR – This move will give disproportionate political power to teachers. I know of a case where a teacher was indoctrinated with far-Left views while at training college and now works at a state school.
There must be many other such cases. Scary.
Keith Ferris
Maidstone, Kent
SIR – If Labour is to lower the voting age to 16, the school curriculum must be adapted so that it fully prepares pupils for their new civic responsibility.
Schools are already required to teach pupils about the democratic process – but they will need a firmer grasp of the political landscape, rather than just a theoretical one.
This does not mean that teachers should engage in party-political instruction. It does, however, require a more purposeful approach to political literacy. Young voters must be able to assess claims, interrogate sources and evaluate policies with discernment.
Dr Millan Sachania
Chertsey, Surrey
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