By Community Correspondent Sophie Swithinbank.
Whilst sixteen year olds are allowed to join the army, get married, have sex, continue to further education or begin a career, they are still not allowed to vote in the General Elections. How can it be fair that sixteen year olds can do all these things without being able to have an opinion on them? Since the General Elections are round the corner, many sixteen years olds have been questioning their legal voting rights.
Last week Tony Benn spoke at a Labour Party Concert. He raised the point that if a sixteen year old is capable of joining the army, in which they are able to defend their country and other countries, and risk their lives in a dangerous war zone, they should be able to vote for the Prime Minister of the country they defend. Since the army is under the control of the government, those in the army should be able to vote for who will control them.
Furthermore, if sixteen year olds are able to make life-choices, such as getting married, it is essential that they are able to express their opinions on the Election Candidates changing policies for married couples.
Due to the fact that sixteen year olds are not allowed to vote, many young people are disinterested in politics because they know their opinion will not make a difference. Given the opportunity to vote, politics would be a key and exciting topic for teenagers, creating justice and a fuller understanding of politics within our society.
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