What is that "mate" of mine Sadiq Khan trying to achieve ?

 

You lost you demented little cretin, get over it and concentrate on your job you terrorist sympathiser.

2 minutes ago, London Wanderer said:

Aye because voting for your local MP in an election is the same as being asked to manage social services 😂😂

Whatabout Comparison of the Month goes to …. 🏆

Just asking a question. We’ve had people who have been in politics for decades and have been unbelievably shit. Funnily enough one has just been suspended, again, from the Labour Party. She’s been knocking about for over 30 years now. So how long do you need to serve before getting a crack at the job? 

13 minutes ago, royal white said:

Just asking a question. We’ve had people who have been in politics for decades and have been unbelievably shit. Funnily enough one has just been suspended, again, from the Labour Party. She’s been knocking about for over 30 years now. So how long do you need to serve before getting a crack at the job? 

Aye right. Some comparison that was mate, even by your standards 😂😉

 There isn’t really a definitive answer to your other question. An 18 year old could run for PM & win. That’s democracy.  
 

Doesnt mean it won’t be ridiculed. Just like Reforms decision was. Children & Family services clearly require more experience. 

Edited July 17, 2025Jul 17 by London Wanderer

2 minutes ago, London Wanderer said:

Aye right. Some comparison that was mate, even by your standards 😂😉

 There isn’t really a definitive answer to your other question. An 18 year old could run for PM & win. That’s democracy.  
 

Doesnt mean it won’t be ridiculed. Just like Reforms decision was. Children & Family services clearly require more experience. 

So what experience do people have in running a country before getting the PM job? What experience does a potential home Secretary have or need? 

I'm not sure we really need to pretend votes at 16 hasn't been brought in because the government hopes it will benefit them

1 hour ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Go on, explain how those facts are "screeching".

They are legitimate indicators of two approaches to the maturity or otherwise of 16 year olds.

Voting isn't the same as being allowed to drink- it is of more importance- not that that has any bearing on the matter whatsoever. 

I'm intrigued to know just how many people you think voted for labour at the last election as a result of this proposal above other major issues 

I reckon you wouldn't find a single person who made it their first priority, and for many it will have been a side issue to which they gave little consideration. 

It will be interesting to see if any lawyers will be sniffing about, looking to challenge those boundaries, using human rights type arguments.

There may even be some legitimacy to the argument too- a brief look suggests the age of majority includes several things, one being the right to vote, therefore would it be against their rights to be denied the same opportunities as other adults?

It was in their manifesto and they won the last election, that's democracy. Exactly how the EU referendum should have been undertaken, vote for a party willing to take us out and deal with it.

I honestly don't think it will make that much difference at all TBH. But the fact Dan Hannan and Nigel Farage is against it makes me think we are probably doing the right thing.

19 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I'm not sure we really need to pretend votes at 16 hasn't been brought in because the government hopes it will benefit them

Absolutely 

Hopefully it does 

20 minutes ago, royal white said:

So what experience do people have in running a country before getting the PM job? What experience does a potential home Secretary have or need? 

You’re asking a lot of questions tonight mate

 Why don’t you just tell us what you think 🤔 

2 minutes ago, London Wanderer said:

Absolutely 

Hopefully it does 

They will soon change their mind when they have to start working for a living 

21 minutes ago, royal white said:

So what experience do people have in running a country before getting the PM job? What experience does a potential home Secretary have or need? 

We should send em on loan to places like Australia, New Zealand and the Falklands to get a bit of first team PM experience.

Just now, royal white said:

They will soon change their mind when they have to start working for a living 

Who will?

43 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

I'm not sure we really need to pretend votes at 16 hasn't been brought in because the government hopes it will benefit them

Funny how some folk didnt get up in arms about the boundary changes or the bringing in of ID cards (that's was actively defended by the usuals)

And the idea that lowering the age will just bring in another Labour government doesn't stack up. Overall the vote is really split in the age group from Greens, Liberal Dems and Labour, there's a small but increasing % of reform but this is generally in young men of a certain demographic and it generally gets balanced by the younger female vote.

Ontop of this the percentage of young people that vote is tiny already in comparison to older age groups, there is no reason why this will suddenly leap up as an overall slice of the electorate.

If things are tight it might bring in a more progressive coalition perhaps - but simple Gerrymandering this isn't.

 

16 minutes ago, Not in Crawley said:

Funny how some folk didnt get up in arms about the boundary changes or the bringing in of ID cards (that's was actively defended by the usuals)

And the idea that lowering the age will just bring in another Labour government doesn't stack up. Overall the vote is really split in the age group from Greens, Liberal Dems and Labour, there's a small but increasing % of reform but this is generally in young men of a certain demographic and it generally gets balanced by the younger female vote.

Ontop of this the percentage of young people that vote is tiny already in comparison to older age groups, there is no reason why this will suddenly leap up as an overall slice of the electorate.

If things are tight it might bring in a more progressive coalition perhaps - but simple Gerrymandering this isn't.

 

Sure, but it's been introduced in the hope they benefit

It's no coincidence the parties most favour of it are the ones that cohort are most likely to vote for, and vice versa those opposing it 

It was the same at the time of the EU referendum

9 hours ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Can't serve in the armed forces as a regular.

Can't drive at 16.

Unless in an apprenticeship, or employment, everyone must remain in education until 18.

Can't watch porn, or visit certain websites (alcohol related).

Can't buy fireworks, alcohol, super glue, knives, can't get married and can't actually stand for election. 

But can vote in one.

The tax argument doesn't stand neither: Anyone, irrespective of age, pays tax on earnings.

Would a child actor, a minor, therefore be allowed to vote?

The state places a lot of restrictions on young people, and if anything has increased the age threshold-the tobacco bill for example.

If the state believes young people aren't mature enough for so many things, then it doesn't follow that they are to vote.

I'd have changed it to 21 or even 25.

3 hours ago, tyldesley_white said:

Yes you can vote , register and vote by mail, when the voting slip arrives at your address 

I wish that you hadn't told them.

 

My view is that lowering the voting age certainly doesn't guarantee Labour a victory next time, but what is does virtually guarantee that the Conservatives certainly won't be getting back into power. It'll, I'd have thought be a boost to Labour, Greens and LibDems. I guess we'll find out in 4 years time

8 hours ago, bolty58 said:

I'd have changed it to 21 or even 25.

You’re more progressive than I thought mate

 Always struck me as someone who’d like a powerful, no nonsense rich man dictating your whole life

1 hour ago, Sweep said:

My view is that lowering the voting age certainly doesn't guarantee Labour a victory next time, but what is does virtually guarantee that the Conservatives certainly won't be getting back into power. It'll, I'd have thought be a boost to Labour, Greens and LibDems. I guess we'll find out in 4 years time

If it helps reduce the influence of the Boomer voting bloc, that'd be a positive thing

I can't get over people pretending it's really because it's important to allow 16-year-olds as say in how the small amount of tax some of them might pay should be spent though 

9 hours ago, Not in Crawley said:

 

And the idea that lowering the age will just bring in another Labour government doesn't stack up. Overall the vote is really split in the age group from Greens, Liberal Dems and Labour, there's a small but increasing % of reform but this is generally in young men of a certain demographic and it generally gets balanced by the younger female vote.

 

 

Gammon-Youth

My lad turns 15 next time and can barely put his own clothes in a wash basket.

He was up last night playing GTA with his mate and talking about the new superman film.

Quite frightening that he'd be allowed to vote in a year or so.

46 minutes ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

If it helps reduce the influence of the Boomer voting bloc, that'd be a positive thing

I can't get over people pretending it's really because it's important to allow 16-year-olds as say in how the small amount of tax some of them might pay should be spent though 

From the graph posted previously. From the referendum of course but not as clear cut as some assume. Just 4% difference between 45+ and 65+. (Margin of error could make it even closer.)
Don’t know about you but I knew a lot more about life as I got older. 

I voted remain. 

Edited July 18, 2025Jul 18 by BobyBrno

2 minutes ago, gonzo said:

My lad turns 15 next time and can barely put his own clothes in a wash basket.

He was up last night playing GTA with his mate and talking about the new superman film.

Quite frightening that he'd be allowed to vote in a year or so.

As has been said previously, most will go with what their parents say imo. Obviously done for political reasons but personally, I think the state of the country in 4 years time will determine people’s voting intentions rather than age. I ain’t concerned about it. 

 

7 minutes ago, gonzo said:

My lad turns 15 next time and can barely put his own clothes in a wash basket.

He was up last night playing GTA with his mate and talking about the new superman film.

Quite frightening that he'd be allowed to vote in a year or so.

and my mum n dad died with dementia and they both got a vote til the day they died

14 minutes ago, gonzo said:

My lad turns 15 next time and can barely put his own clothes in a wash basket.

He was up last night playing GTA with his mate and talking about the new superman film.

Quite frightening that he'd be allowed to vote in a year or so.

Is it frightening that he'll also be allowed to enlist in the armed forces, and legally get someone pregnant?

1 hour ago, gonzo said:

My lad turns 15 next time and can barely put his own clothes in a wash basket.

He was up last night playing GTA with his mate and talking about the new superman film.

Quite frightening that he'd be allowed to vote in a year or so.

Was saying the same to my missus this morning about the gormless streak of piss who eats and sleeps in this house.

... but then again look at the reasons that so many 'grown-ups' voted for Brexit...