Explain the arguments in favour of lowering the voting age

As well as this, it can be perceived that 18 is possibly the worst age to introduce voting. At this age, many 18 year olds consider the prospect of moving out, some continue to study higher education in university as well as being introduced to adult working life. The age of 16 however, is when the teenager is both mature and stationary. This means that they are more likely to vote at this age as there focus on other aspects of life at this current stage, is not at its most prominent as that of 18. This is likely therefore to encourage long term political participation.

There is also the argument that as 16 year olds have the right to leave home, pay taxes, get married and join the army – they should also have the right to choose their government. Over the last decade, 16/ 17 year olds have paid more than £500 million in tax. They are certainly making an economic contribution as well as nationalistic, why deprive them of their political contribution? Maintaining the right to vote at elections at 18 only angers the youths leading to their parliamentary irritance, they do not have their say therefore they do not feel the political parties who win at elections truly represent them. Therefore they lose faith in the system leading to long term political apathy. Reducing voting age to 16 is a great way to encourage political participation.